HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Recovery efforts will resume today Thursday, September 8, weather permitting at Holland State Park as deputies with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Marine Division search to recover the body of Chrstopher Mimis.
Mimis was one of four teens who drowned in the waters of Lake Michigan. Two of the four were able to reach the shore safely, while the body of 14-year-old Vincent Green was found under the rocks along the pier about 24 hours later, and Mimis’ body has yet to be recovered.
Sgt. Cal Kuning tells WHTC News he’ll have marine deputies on the water again Thursday patrolling.
The two Holland teens were the 72nd and 73rd to drown on one of the five Great Lakes this summer season, and two of ten to have died on West Michigan beaches.73 is a high number for the Great Lakes but not the highest in the last few years. Last year there were 55 deaths on the five big lakes, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.
In 2014 there were 54 deaths and 67 in 2013. Deaths peaked at 101 in 2012 and a total of 87 died the year before. In 2010, the first year the organization began keeping records, the death toll was 74. The 2016 total could still rise. Four swimmers remain in critical condition at this point, and the swimming season isn’t over.
Lake Michigan has a earned reputation as the deadliest of the Great Lakes, primarily because it has the largest population surrounding it and large popular beaches, and the best and the worst beach weather.
– John McNeil contributed to this story.
