Lost kayaker found on PM River.

Lost kayaker found on PM River.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Several local emergency agencies were involved in a search for a missing kayaker Monday evening, Aug. 30, on the Pere Marquette River. According to a press release from Michigan State Police, troopers discovered that a 36-year-old Scottville man, along with a 30-year-old Scottville woman, had been dropped off at the Custer Road bridge in Custer Township about 1 p.m. by a family member.  The man and woman, who were siblings, kayaked down river and exited near Scottville Riverside Park. While on the riverbank, the siblings contacted family members and advised they would be continuing their journey towards Pere Marquette Highway. 

Just after 8 p.m., the man arrived at PM Highway and called family members advising them that he did not know where his sister was.  The man reported that he last saw his sister somewhere between Scottville and Pere Marquette Highway. Due to the concerns that the kayakers had special needs, and with darkness quickly approaching, family members called 911.

Scottville Police Department, Riverton Fire Department and Scottville Fire Department were called to assist searching from Scottville towards the west. Josh Henry, owner of Henry’s Landing Campground & Canoe Rental, and a Scottville Fire Department first responder, boarded his personal boat and assisted. 

The Riverton Fire Department and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office marine deputies responded to the Pere Marquette River near PM Highway and began patrolling the river upstream towards Scottville.  

The Ludington Fire Department patrolled the mouth of the river while Pere Marquette Fire Department, the Mason County emergency manager, and troopers continued to monitor search efforts and communicate with the United State Coast Guard aviation.

Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Pere Marquette River overpass on US-31, which is when the deputies located the lost kayaker on the riverbank.  Life EMS responded to the freeway and assisted the deputy by retrieving the woman from the river.  The woman was checked out by advanced medical personnel and released from the scene.

The woman was found within 30 minutes of 911 being called. 

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