Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE:
 
On November 1, 2023, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Police Officers and Fire personnel from Fruitport Twp. Public Safety responded to the 3000 block of Herron Lane in Fruitport Township for the report of a man who had passed out in his garage.
 
Upon arrival, emergency personnel found no response at the door, and subsequently made emergency entry into the garage area where they found a sixty-two year old male subject unresponsive and his sixty-four year wife unconscious on the garage floor.  Upon entry into the garage, emergency personnel were immediately aware of a generator that was running inside with an overwhelming smell of exhaust fumes.  Both subjects were immediately removed by fire and EMS personnel.  The male subject died at the scene.  The female subject is alive but remains in serious condition. 
 
Muskegon Emergency 911 Dispatch was made aware of this situation by the daughter of the two subjects.  Initial investigation indicates that the wife/victim was on the phone with her daughter and told her that they were both leaving for the hospital because they did not feel well.  As the couple entered their attached garage, the husband/victim passed out. The wife then told the daughter to call 911.  There was no further phone contact after this, as the wife did not answer her phone after this conversation. 
 
Our initial investigation did not uncover any evidence of foul play at this time.  Further, that the running generator in the garage appeared to be the cause of the noxious air both inside the garage and residence.  This investigation remains open at this time pending further investigation by Fruitport Twp. and the medical examiner’s office. 
 
The Fruitport Department of Public Safety recommends the following regarding the safe use of generators around your home:
 
The garage may seem like a go-to place for running a portable generator, but it’s not a safe place to set one up.
 
Place the generator on a flat, level surface at least 15 to 20 feet from any windows, doors, vents, or crawlspace entries. Aim the exhaust away from the building.
Allow at least five feet of clearance on all sides of the generator while in operation.