BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A 20-year-old Battle Creek man is dead after drowning in Goguac Lake Saturday afternoon.
At 5:39 p.m., the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Willard Beach on Goguac Lake for a possible drowning. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit were already on routine patrol on the lake and were able to respond within minutes to begin rescue efforts.
Additional CCSO Marine personnel and the Area Law Enforcement Underwater Recovery Team were immediately dispatched. CCSO also requested mutual aid from the Battle Creek Police Department, Battle Creek Fire Department, and LifeCare Ambulance Service.
As emergency personnel arrived on scene, Battle Creek Police deployed a drone to assist in search efforts from the air.
The CCSO Marine Unit quickly initiated a water search using Side-Scan Sonar technology. Shortly thereafter, the Battle Creek Fire Department arrived to assist with water-based search efforts.
Two ALURT dive team members entered the water and located a submerged victim near the buoy line. The individual was recovered and brought aboard a rescue boat, where first responders immediately began CPR.
Life-saving efforts continued as the victim was transported to shore, with additional support from Battle Creek Fire personnel and LifeCare paramedics.
Despite extensive life-saving measures, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The WMED Medical Examiner responded to the scene to assist with forensic examination and additional investigative steps.
Willard Beach, which was temporarily closed during the emergency response, reopened to the public Sunday.
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