Man likely under the influence of meth taken to hospital following dip in 40-degree lake.

Man likely under the influence of meth taken to hospital following dip in 40-degree lake.

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By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — A 44-year-old Pentwater man possibly under the influence of methamphetamine was assisted out of Bass Lake by emergency personnel Monday, May 2, shortly after 9 a.m.

The man who was exhibiting “unusual behavior” was transported by Life EMS to Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon for further treatment, said Michigan State Police Trooper Hyder Mansour.

He was waist-deep in the 40-degree water. “We believe he was kneeling,” said Trooper Mansour. “He was not actively drowning.”

“He appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, most likely methamphetamine,” said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast whose department assisted MSP at the scene. “He was in the water for a considerable amount of time yelling gibberish.”

An email to Pentwater Police Chief Laude Hartrum was linked to the bizarre incident.

“I got an email early this morning,” said Chief Hartrum. “It was a report from a homeowner out in that area who noticed someone was ringing his doorbell at his summer house. He wanted to report some unusual activity. I was working on that when the call came out on that case. We concluded that the two things were related.

“I’m not sure how long he was in (the lake),” said the chief. “I’m sure he was starting to turn hypothermic.

“He was removed from the water,” said Hartrum. “He was unable to get out of the water on his own due to his mental state. Two Pentwater firemen put on water rescue suits; walked out to him; and grabbed him by the shoulders.

“This is just another example of the level of illegal drugs and the complications it’s causing in Oceana County. We’re seeing more and more individuals suffering from these kinds of addictions.” 

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