MACKINAC ISLAND, MI— A Mackinac Island woman has drowned in Lake Huron.
Michigan State Police, Mackinac Island Police, and Island rescue personnel responded Monday to an area near M-185 and milepost 3.5 on a report of a person in distress. Witnesses say they saw a paddleboarder in the water who was yelling for help. They called 911, then lost sight of the woman.
After being submerged underwater for a considerable length of time, the paddleboarder was located and pulled from the lake by marine rescue and U.S. Coast Guard personnel.
Lifesaving efforts were started. The 22-year-old woman was flown to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, where she died later that evening.
Officials say at the time of the incident, winds were high with whitecaps on Lake Huron, the air temperature was about 52 degrees, and the water temperature was less than 57 degrees.
