SPRING LAKE TWP, MI (WHTC) – A Spring Lake man who was attempting to trailer his boat from Petty’s Bayou boat dock has drowned.
Sgt. Christie Wendt of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched to Petty’s Bayou located at 17600 Fruitport Road around 10:13 p.m. Thursday, November 3, after a report of a male subject floating in the water.
Joseph Thompson, 59, was with a family member attempting to trailer his boat when he walked away from the dock. The family member continued to trailer the boat and after a period of time Thompson did not return. A search of the area by family members that arrived at the boat launch located Thompson in the water west of the dock in some brush.
Thompson was pulled from the water by Spring Lake Fire Rescue and transported to North Ottawa Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. At this time it is unknown how Thompson ended up in the water.
The incident remains under investigation.
