Lake Michigan search continues for Brighton man. 

Lake Michigan search continues for Brighton man. 

#MasonCountyNews

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — The man who presumably drowned Thursday, July 25, at the Ludington State Park has been identified by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office as Brian Hermann, 38, of Brighton. Hermann was swimming at the outlet of the Sable River about 3:13 p.m. when he began to struggle, according to the sheriff’s office. Hermann was swimming with his wife and two children, who were rescued by bystanders. 

He was last spotted about 100 yards south of the first swim buoy located north of the outlet in Lake Michigan. 

Two Mason County sheriff’s deputies happened to be at the state park. One of the deputies entered the water with a life jacket and attempted to rescue Hermann.

Search efforts are continuing today, July 26, however conditions on Lake Michigan are expected to deteriorate further., Cole said. 

“Search crews will continue as long as it is safe for emergency personnel,” Cole said. 

The Ludington State Park Lake Michigan beaches are open today, but everyone is encouraged to check current lake conditions for dangerous currents advisories at https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards. 

The Sable River outlet is closed to swimming until conditions improve. 

“River outlet currents can be especially dangerous areas to swim in when high flows are occurring on the river,” Cole said. “These currents can quickly sweep swimmers away from shore. If swimmers are caught in an outlet current, they should swim parallel to shore until they are free of the current, and then make their way back to shore. Fighting the current will only weaken a swimmer further, possibly putting them in more distress.”

Multiple agencies have been involved in the search effort including MCSO, Mason County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, MCSO Victim Services Unit, Hamlin Township Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard air and water crews, Ludington Fire Department, Custer Fire Department, Scottville Fire Department, Pere Marquette Township Fire Department, Grant Township Fire Department, Free Soil/Meade Fire Department, Ludington Police/Fire harbor patrol, Ludington Police Department, Ludington State Park, Mason County Emergency Management, U.S. Forest Service, Michigan State Police, Salvation Army, Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Manistee County Sheriff’s Office, and Life EMS. 

Several businesses have donated supplies and resources to also support the search operations, including Y Country Store, Wesco, Comfort Inn of Ludington and All Seasons Port-A-Jons. 

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