No foul play suspected in death of 16-year-old boy found unresponsive at state park.

No foul play suspected in death of 16-year-old boy found unresponsive at state park.

HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — No foul play is suspected in the death of a 16-year-old west Michigan boy who was found unresponsive at the Ludington State Park Wednesday night, Aug. 11, although an internal injury was discovered by a medical examiner, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

“Information related to that injury was passed onto Mason County detectives,” said Sheriff Cole. “A search was organized by detectives and Mason County Emergency Management in an effort to identify and collect any potential evidence to corroborate the injury. That search was conducted Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, and evidence was located near where the victim was found to substantiate the medical examiner’s findings.

“The victim is only being identified as a resident of west Michigan and no foul play suspected in this case which will remain under investigation by the sheriff’s office,” said Cole.

Emergency crews were called to the Pines Campground at the Ludington State Park shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday regarding an unresponsive 16-year-old boy. Hamlin Township Fire, Life EMS, Ludington State Park rangers, Mason County sheriff’s deputies and detectives responded to the scene.

“In spite of life saving measures being initiated by park rangers and citizens camping at the state park, and advanced care by Life EMS and Hamlin Fire, the victim was pronounced dead shortly before 10 p.m. at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital,” said Cole.

A Scottville Fire Department first responder, who happened to be at the state park, was first on the scene to assist with bystanders to perform CPR.

“The victim was transported to WMED in Kalamazoo for further examination where an internal injury was discovered. Riverton, Scottville, Ludington, Hamlin, Pere Marquette fire (departments), Mason County Emergency Management, Michigan DNR and park rangers with both Ludington State Park and Orchard Beach State Park all assisted deputies at the scene.”

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