Two Kayakers Rescued in Michigan
Two kayakers were rescued after an ice shelf collision in Grand Haven, Michigan. Emergency crews pulled both paddlers from the frigid water after ice knocked them into the water, with both expected to recover — a reminder of early spring hazards on inland waterways.
The rescue operation unfolded around 5:09 p.m. near the 19000 block of North Shore Drive in Grand Haven. Multiple agencies collaborated in the effort, including the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, the Ferrysburg Fire Department, Life EMS, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The two kayakers were wearing wetsuits, a critical factor that allowed them to survive the frigid water long enough to climb onto a nearby ice shelf. After the collision, one kayak was lost and the other was too damaged to be used, leaving them stranded. They were transported to two different hospitals for treatment: Trinity Health Muskegon and Trinity Health Grand Haven. Lake Michigan's water temperature in early March averages a dangerously cold 36.9°F (2.7°C). At these temperatures, cold water shock can be nearly instantaneous, making it extremely difficult to control breathing and movement. Shelf ice, like that involved in the incident, is notoriously unstable and poses a significant threat to winter adventurers. It forms when waves and spray freeze, creating a deceptive landscape of cracks and hidden holes over moving water. This makes it easy for the ice to collapse unexpectedly under a person's weight. This incident is not isolated. Earlier in the winter, South Haven Area Emergency Services rescued an individual who fell through an ice shelf about 100 yards offshore, suffering a leg injury. Authorities consistently warn the public to stay off the hazardous ice formations on the Great Lakes.
