LIBERTY TWP., MI - Rescue crews breathed a sigh of relief when a kayaker who disappeared into the chilly waters of Round Lake was found walking around on the other side of the shore Wednesday afternoon.
Rescue crews were called to the Round Lake boat launch near the intersection of Round Lake Road and Little Drive just before 1 p.m. on April 26 for a possible drowning, said Liberty Township Fire Chief Brandon Hughes.
Two women were out on the lake kayaking when the wind picked up and flipped one of the kayakers into the water, Hughes said.
Unable to immediately locate her fellow kayaker, the woman who did not fall in the lake paddled to the eastern shore and called 911, Hughes said.
"We were really concerned about the water temperature when she went in," Hughes said. "It may look beautiful out, but that water is still cold enough to possibly bring on hypothermia."
Shortly after launching the township's rescue boat, the woman who fell into the water was located walking on the west shore of the lake, Hughes said. She was checked out by medical crews at the scene and released, he said.
Hanover-Horton Township Fire, Summit Township Fire, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Jackson Community Ambulance assisted at the scene.