Boat Found Spinning Out of Control on Michigan Lake; Two Occupants Thrown Overboard
Reports came in on yet another boating incident this past week on the shores of Elizabeth Lake in Oakland County, Michigan. A 35-year-old resident and a 24-year-old woman were thrown from their boat and found drifting in the water, the boat spinning aimlessly on the lake’s surface. This recent incident puts into stark relief the escalating concern over water safety in the region.
Twister on Water
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene shortly before 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening, after receiving a report of an unmanned boat spinning out of control on the lake. Initial observations indicated a vacant boat running at full throttle, seemingly caught in an unending whirl. Spottings of abandoned footwear and clothing floating amidst the froth accentuated the tensed atmosphere.
“Another Likely Tragedy”
“I feared we would be reporting another tragic loss,” remarked Sheriff Michael Bouchard, with 11 drownings in the county already noted this year. Activating an immediate response, the team managed to regain control of the situation with little time to spare.
The vessel, a 17-foot boat, eventually ran out of gas and was secured by the deputies. A thorough inspection found that the safety lanyard was still attached to the ignition key, an indicator of the hasty exit by the boat’s occupants.
Owner and Passenger Safe but Shaken
The 35-year-old boat owner, a resident of Waterford Township, later explained to the deputies that he and his 24-year-old female companion, a resident of Wixom, had been thrown overboard by a rogue wake. They managed to swim to the lakeshore but were unable to seize control of the now runaway boat.
Alcohol involvement was confirmed in the incident, but investigators point to inexperienced handling of the vessel as the primary factor leading to the accident. The deputies did not release how far the passengers had to swim to reach the shore and no charges have been announced against them at this time.
“Grace of God”
“This situation could have easily turned deadly. There were multiple failures here that thankfully didn’t lead to a severe injury or worse,” Bouchard said in a statement. He owed their survival to divine intervention and luck, urging the public to exercise prudence and enhanced water safety.
The sheriff’s strong statement emphasized the disregard for personal floatation devices, mixing alcohol with boating, and the disregard for the safety lanyard with an auto shut-off capability.
These incidents serve as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with water activities and the importance of taking preventative measures to ensure safety. Sheriff Bouchard closed with a crisp call to action, urging people to practice water safety and employ common sense when in and around water bodies, effectively curbing potential life-threatening situations.
