Near Drowning at Miners Beach

Date: August 13, 2012
Contact: Bill Smith, 906-387-2607, ext. 205

MUNISING, Mich. On Saturday, August 11 at 2:32 p.m., Park Rangers and Alger County EMS responded to a near drowning of two adult males on Miners Beach near the mouth of the Miners River in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. They found a 43 year old male and 47 year old male, brothers, lying prone on the beach being tended by good Samaritans. They were exhausted, hypothermic, nauseous and suffering from headaches. EMS personnel treated their symptoms and monitored their conditions until they were okay to be released.

At the location of the incident, Lake Superior seas were 3 to 4 feet where breaking. It was learned that one of the brother's 8 year old son had been playing in the waves when he was knocked down and caught in a rip-tide that was carrying him out to sea. The 8 year old's father and uncle swam out to save him and the uncle was able to bring him to shore but the father was unable to return. His brother then returned to Lake Superior to assist him, putting them both in jeopardy. Struggling in rough seas, both brothers nearly drowned in Lake Superior. The victims were from Lake Orion, Michigan.

Park Ranger Clif Edwards warns patrons of Lake Superior to be wary as time after time she has demonstrated how treacherous she is.