This is the moment a police officer and a good Samaritan rescue a kayaker from a chilly lake after he overturned.
The incident took place on Long Lake, in the US state of Michigan, on 21st October, with the footage, caught on the police officer’s body cam, showing him and the good Samaritan putting a boat in the water and making their way to the kayaker in the middle of the lake.
They can be seen pulling up alongside the man, who has not been named, but who is said to be 37 years old, and hoisting him aboard their small boat.
Newsflash obtained a statement from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Seventh District on 22nd October saying: “Grand Traverse County: Trooper Park from the Traverse City Post and a local boater saves distressed kayaker on Long Lake.
“The kayaker, a 37-year-old West Olive man, called 911 after overturning. He was in the water for approximately 1 hour.” (sic)
The MSP also said that the incident took place at around 1:50 pm on 21st October, adding: “Trooper Park from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Traverse City Post responded to a 911 call from a distressed kayaker in the water on Long Lake in Long Lake Township.
“The outside air temperature was 47 degrees [Fahrenheit; 8.3 degrees Celsius], and the water temperature was 53 [11.6 degrees Celsius].
“Trooper Park enlisted the help of a man on the shoreline with a boat to help him rescue the kayaker in the water.
“The kayaker, a 37-year-old West Olive man, was shivering, and had begun to lose his fine motor skills. He informed Trooper Park he was in the water for about an hour.
“A Long Lake Fire Department member arrived on another vessel operated by local citizens. The local citizens, with help from Long Lake Fire Department personnel, were able to recover the kayak boat and belongings. The kayaker was motored back to the Crescent Shores Boat Launch.
“He was transported by Long Lake EMS to Munson Medical Center Traverse City for treatment of hypothermia. Michigan Conservation Officers, Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Long Lake Emergency Services responded to the scene.”
