Police, Boaters Save Long Lake Kayaker

A Michigan State Police trooper and local citizens worked together to rescue a kayaker on Long Lake Saturday afternoon.

According to a press release, the trooper responded to a 911 call from a "distressed" kayaker in the water on Long Lake just before 2pm. The outside air temperature was 47 degrees, and the water temperature was 53 degrees, officials said.

The trooper 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 the trooper he had been 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 for treatment of hypothermia.

Names were not released by authorities.