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– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo
‘The deputy and trooper took their winter coats off to try and warm the man up who had been lying out in the conditions for at least two hours.’
GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Oceana County emergency workers heroically saved an injured snowmobiler in the Upper Silver Lake area during blizzard-like conditions Wednesday night, Jan. 22.
A 40-year-old Spring Lake man was located by the deputies on a man-made island on Upper Silver Lake. “He needed medical attention for his injuries and was transported by Life EMS to Trinity Health,” stated Oceana County Undersheriff Ryan Schiller.
“A team effort was key to rescuing the 40-year-old Spring Lake man.
– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo
“At 9:40 p.m., Mason-Oceana 911 received a call for a missing person in the Upper Silver Lake area. The caller to 911 reported that their family member was last seen at approximately 7:30 p.m. and was on his snowmobile headed north across Upper Silver Lake,” said Undersheriff Schiller.
“One of our deputies arrived to speak with the family and confirm the information. While our deputy was at the house talking with family, he went to see if he could still see any snowmobile tracks in the snow.
“While he was out looking for tracks, he could hear someone yelling for help across the lake. Other sheriff’s office personnel responded, along with troopers from the Michigan State Police Hart Post.
“Once our deputy learned that the person was injured, they called for Life EMS and Hart Area Fire to respond. One of our deputies and one of our state troopers crossed the ice locating the injured man. He told them that he ran into the island due to the poor visibility and weather conditions, saying he could not see his hand in front of his face. When the snowmobile struck the island perimeter, it ejected him from the snowmobile.
“All of these first responders were out in blizzard conditions — not exaggerating. It was 24 degrees and a wind chill of 14 degrees. The deputy and trooper took their winter coats off to try and warm the man up who had been lying out in the conditions for at least two hours.
“This rescue was successful because of these agencies working together. Responding to the incident were: Michigan State Police Hart Post, Mason-Oceana 911, Life EMS, Hart Area Fire Department, and the Pentwater Fire Department for their drone team.”
– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo
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