Columbia Township Police report that a five year old boy perished by drowning at Vineyard Lake Monday afternoon (5/30/16). The police say that the boy waded out from shore towards a boat that a relative was in. The relative saw him coming towards deeper water and instructed him to return to shore, but the boy continued. “When the relative saw him go under, she jumped in to attempt to save him, but immediately lost sight of him in the water.”
Police indicate multiple dive team units were in boats and diving within a short time of being dispatched (about 4 pm). “Firefighters also entered the water forming a line to search” for the boy.
Divers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol located the victim in about 15 feet of water at about 6:30 pm. Police also say that “medical personnel on the scene made a determination to attempt life-saving measures, and the victim was transported to Henry Ford Allegiance by JCA ambulance.”
The name of the boy has not been released at this time. Police note that the family lives in Columbia Township.
At the scene were the Jackson County Sheriff, Undersheriff and deputies, dive teams from both the Jackson County and Lenawee County Sheriff’s Departments, Columbia Township and Cambridge Township Fire Departments, DNR officers, and the Promedica helicopter from Toledo.