Search for missing swimmer suspended. 

Search for missing swimmer suspended. 

#MasonCountyNews

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — The search for missing swimmer in Lake Michigan has been suspended due to deteriorating weather conditions, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. At 3:13 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, Brian Herrmann, 38, of Brighton, was swept away into Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Sable River in the Ludington State Park. He is presumed drowned and several agencies have been searching for his body since. 

The sheriff’s office reported that increased winds and waves on Lake Michigan have meant the suspension of the search to ensure the safety of the emergency personnel. 

“Extensive shoreline searches have been conducted throughout the day, but are also being suspended until tomorrow to protect searchers from the dangerous surf,” said Sheriff Kim Cole. “Wind speeds have increased and are causing dangerous conditions on the lake and on shore. The Michigan State Police Marine Services Unit has concluded its current search mission with its underwater autonomous vehicle and are also pulling off Lake Michigan.”

The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazard statement for Saturday July 27, 2019. The public is urged to use extreme caution around Lake Michigan, Cole said.

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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