NEWS MEDIA INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECT OF RELEASE: Drowning
DATE AND TIME: Friday, July 3, 2022, at approximately 7:53 P.M.
LOCATION: Race Lake near the intersection of Miller and Snows Lake Roads in Fairplain Township.
AUTHORITY/CONTACT PERSON: Sheriff Michael Williams
The Sheriff’s Office responded to an unoccupied boat floating on Race Lake in Fairplain Township on July 3, 2022 at approximately 7:53 P.M.
The initial information received indicated there was an unoccupied boat floating on Race Lake as well as a vehicle and trailer parked near the lake. The caller tried to communicate with anyone around the boat, and when the attempts were unsuccessful, a 911 call was made.
Due to the nature of the small lake, the Sheriff’s Office dive team was not able to launch the dive boat. The Belding Fire Department was requested to assist and brought an inflatable boat allowing the dive team to reach the unoccupied boat. The boat was located approximately one hundred yards from the boat launch. The sole occupant of the boat, a 73-year-old man from Greenville, was found approximately thirty yards from the boat in six feet of water. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is believe the man accidently fell from his small fishing boat. Foul play is not suspected.
In addition to the Belding Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Montcalm County Central Dispatch.
