Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

Search efforts turn from rescue to recovery for missing kayaker in Otsego Lake


WPBN -  clip
WPBN - clip
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

OTSEGO COUNTY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) -- The search for the missing 28-year-old kayaker has turned into a recovery effort in Otsego Lake.

Crews are using sonar Friday morning to look for the man.

It all started just before 3 p.m. Thursday when troopers from the Michigan State Police Gaylord Post were called to the Otsego Lake State boat launch area for an overturned canoe.

Troopers arrived on scene and found a green overturned kayak about 1/4 mile from shore. A witness said she saw a man in dark clothing paddling the canoe, later confirmed to be a kayak, about 150 yards north of the boat launch.

The witness walked away from the shore briefly and when she returned to shore she saw the overturned kayak.

The woman then immediately reported the incident to state park officers who then called 911.

Deputies from the Otsego County Sheriff's Department, conservation officers from the Department of Natural Resources, Otsego Lake Township Fire Department as well as Otsego County EMS responded to the scene.

Emergency boats were launched and recovered the overturned kayak and a paddle.

A helicopter from Coast Guard Station Traverse City also responded and conducted an aerial search.

As of Friday morning, they were unable to locate the boater. The search was called off after about two hours of searching Thursday and the Michigan State Police Underwater Recovery Team was dispatched.

The man has been identified by family as 28-year-old Lawrence Beach who is an army vet.


Loading ...