Orangeville, Yankee Springs rescue father, son at Gun Lake

A father and son were rescued this morning on Gun Lake by volunteers from the Yankee Springs Fire Department and Orangeville Township Fire Department.

Yankee Springs Deputy Chief Dan Miller said the two men were setting out on Gun Lake to go hunting. The son was kayaking in the water and looked back to notice his father was under water after his vessel had capsized. He immediately called Barry County 911 dispatch and then managed to pull his father out of the water onto an island.

Miller said Orangeville firefighters immediate called for the rescue boat out of the Yankee Springs Fire Station.

“The caller at some point had advised he and his father had made it to an island on Gun Lake,” Miller said.
“Yankee Springs Twp./Wayland firefighters along with the firefighters from OTVFD and the rescue boat from Yankee Springs Twp. were able to locate the victim and his son on the island and transported them to a staging Wayland Area EMS Ambulance at the Allegan County Park.

“The victim was transported to an area hospital emergency room. Firefighters were able to retrieve both kayaks, personal equipment, belongings and get them all to shore. We knew we were working with an element (the weather) situation and with the father being in the water for a period of time seconds were minutes and we had to get him to a warmer environment quickly.”

No injuries were sustained by the firefighters and the father and son are recovering from their ordeal.

“Great cooperation is credited to the son, Barry County Central Dispatch, Orangeville Township and Yankee Springs Twp./Wayland firefighters,” Miller commented. “Working together and sharing resources, we can accomplish great things Through communication, cooperation and coordination.”