Injured Snowmobiler Rescued after Mich. Deputy Hears Cries for Help
By John Agar
Source mlive.com
OCEANA COUNTY, MI—Police and firefighters rescued an injured man who spent at least two hours in frigid conditions after his snowmobile crashed into an island on Upper Silver Lake.
The snowmobiler, a 40-year-old Spring Lake man, was taken to an area hospital by ambulance.
The snowmobiler was reported missing around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 22. A family member told Mason- Oceana dispatcher that the snowmobiler was last seen around 7:30 p.m. headed north on Upper Silver Lake.
Oceana County sheriff’s deputies responded and confirmed the information with the snowmobiler’s family. A deputy who was looking for snowmobile tracks in the snow heard someone across the lake yelling for help.
Other sheriff’s deputies and state police troopers and firefighters responded to the scene.
In blizzard-like conditions, a deputy and trooper crossed the ice to find the injured man.
He told police he crashed into the man-made island because of poor visibility. He could not see his hand in front of his face. He was ejected from the snowmobile when he struck the island.
The deputy and trooper covered the victim with their winter coats because the man was so cold. The temperature was 24 degrees, with a windchill of 14 degrees.
Hart Area Fire Department responded with Pentwater Fire Department’s drone team. Life EMS Ambulance brought the man to Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital.
“This rescue was successful because of these agencies working together,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a release. “All of these first responders were out in blizzard conditions, not exaggerating.”
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