Date: June 23, 2009

Contact: Capt. MaryAnne Ortman, Monroe County Marine Unit
(734) 240-7759

U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan agencies conclude search for man fishing near powerplant

MONROE COUNTY, Mich. - The U.S. Coast Guard and multiple Michigan county sheriff's and fire departments concluded a search for a 30-year-old male swept into Lake Erie after he was fishing near the Consumer's Powerplant, here, Tuesday at approximately 1:30 p.m.

A Moron Point Fire Department boat team located the man south of the Luna Pier near the powerplant's discharge at approximately 1:15 p.m.  He was unresponsive and did not survive.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit received a call from 911 dispatch reporting a man in the water near the powerplant.  A Coast Guard Air Station Detroit HH-65C rescue helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Toledo 25-foot small response boat (RB-S) crew and a Monroe County Sheriff's marine unit responded and searched for the missing males in an area south of the Detroit River in Lake Erie for approximately two hours.

The deceased man, a resident of Detroit, and another male friend went fishing near the powerplant before noon Tuesday in waist-deep water. When the deceased man's friend slipped, he pushed him out of the current allowing him to make it back to shore safe.  Unfortunately, he was swept into Lake Erie by the strong current.

The U.S. Coast Guard would like to express out sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased man.

For media inquiries concerning Coast Guard operations, contact the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (216) 902-6020.  For additional media inquiries, contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Department at (734) 240-7759.

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