Contact: Chris Smith, 715-779-3398, ext. 1801
Bayfield, WI – A young man tragically died on August 10th, when currents pulled him into deep water off of Stockton Island, Julian Bay. There were heavy seas from the northeast and a small craft advisory at the time. A report of a swimmer caught in a current at Julian Bay, Stockton Island within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore came in about 2 p.m. National Park Service Search and Rescue personnel, Red Cliff Band, Bad River Band, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Coast Guard station Bayfield personnel, and a Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City, Michigan responded. During the search, sea conditions were heavy with eight foot waves and heavy, breaking surf on the beach. He was found after approximately five hours of searching and returned to the mainland via a Coast Guard boat. NPS personnel and the other rescuers express their profound sadness. |
Last updated: November 1, 2016