The Allegan County Dive/Rescue team was able to recover a fisherman in distress on Dumont Lake at about 3 a.m. Thursday.
Deputies said a resident on the lake who called could hear someone yelling for help. The subject could be faintly heard from the park, however visibility was low due to heavy rains at the time.
“The subject’s location was unknown and Deputies continued to communicate with the subject every minute or so,” Gail McFanin, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department said. “It was clear he was in distress, but it was unclear if the subject was in the water or injured on a boat. The dive/ rescue boat was able to locate the individual in approximately four feet of water where he was in a sitting position.”
McFanin said the man went fishing around 4 p.m., and at some point his canoe overturned and sank. He attempted to swim to the boat launch, but because of suspected hypothermic conditions he was unable to swim any further..
“However he did make it to an area he could keep his head above water,” McFanin reported. “The water temperature at the time of the rescue was approximately 56 degrees. The subject was transported to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia.
The sheriff’s office was assisted by Hopkins first responders and Wayland EMS.
