A Pinckney man was found in 20 feet of water in Portage Lake after going in to rescue his dogs, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office said after responding to the lake for a drowning.
After hearing the tragic news, the Sun Times News connected with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office to learn more. The sheriff’s office issued a statement about the drowning that occurred on July 25.
Deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office along with the Putnam Township Fire Department responded to Mud Bay on Portage Lake in the Huron River Chain of Lakes for a drowning, the sheriff’s office said.
Mud Bay is in the area of Arthurs Court and Lancelot Lane in Putnam Township.
“Preliminary investigation revealed a 42-year-old Pinckney man had entered the water without a life-jacket to rescue his dogs. While doing so, nearby citizens were able to take the dogs from the man. The man then went below the surface and did not resurface,” the sheriff’s office said.
The Livingston County Dive Team responded to assist and after an approximate 90-minute search utilizing boats, drones, sonar, Aquaeye, and divers, the male subject was found in approximately 20 feet of water at temps of 72 degrees and recovered, the sheriff’s office said.
He was taken to Livingston County EMS on shore where he was later pronounced deceased, according to the sheriff’s office.
The incident remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau.
The Southeast Michigan Dive Group sent strike teams from Oakland, Genesee, Lapeer, and Wayne Counties to assist with resources. Also assisting on scene, were D.A.R.T., Unadilla Township Fire Department, Dexter Fire Department, Pinckney Police Department, and the Hamburg Township Police Department.
Photo: A look out over Portage Lake. Photo by Lonnie Huhman
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