HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — A 9-year-old Davidson boy and a 12-year-old Colorado girl made the mistake of getting into Lake Michigan Tuesday, July 30, 2019, as red flags were flying.
They almost didn’t make it out.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Sgt. Eric Westveer said dispatchers were called just before 4 p.m. with the report of a swimmer in distress near the north pier at Holland State Park.
At the time, waves were 3 to 4 feet high and red flags were out — meaning the water is too dangerous for swimming or walking on the piers.
The boy had been swimming, but struggling in the waves. He called for help. A 12-year-old Highlands Ranch, CO, girl walking along the beach heard him and jumped in to save him.
But the boy panicked, and she, too, began to struggle in the water. Bystanders saw the pair and threw life rings at the chldren, who were then helped to shore.Both were treated on scene by EMS, Westveer said, and declined making a trip to the hospital, so they were released to their parents, who were present.
Westveer’s statement to the media on the resuce included a reminder to beachgoes to obey warning flags and stay out of the lake when conditions are dangerous, as was the case in today’s incident.
