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Grand Rapids man drowns in Torch Lake over holiday weekend

Posted at 12:51 PM, Sep 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-06 12:53:43-04

CLEARWATER TWP., Mich. – A Grand Rapids man died Sunday afternoon in a drowning accident in northern Michigan.

The Kalkaska County Sheriff says that Steven Iwaniw, 53, of Grand Rapids was boating on Torch Lake on the north end of the sandbar when he swam out about 20 feet to retrieve a toy.  He started having difficulties and tried to swim back to the boat but was not able to.  Witnesses told deputies that he went under water, but a 10-year old relative was able to get Iwaniw back above water.  Family members were able to get him back on the boat and started CPR.

Emergency crews also performed CPR on Iwaniw while in transit to Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, but he did not survive.