A 59-year-old man from Caro is expected to be released from the hospital after his boat capsized Tuesday along the AuSable River in Alcona County.
Accompanied by his two dogs, the man, whose name is not being released, was fishing on a 10-foot boat when he fell into the river while trying to disembark. The water was only 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and air temperature was freezing at 32 degrees.
Using his watch, the man texted 911 that he’d fallen into the river and was having difficulty breathing. The DNR later learned that the man had open-heart surgery two years ago and had recently been feeling ill.
Alcona County Central Dispatch notified local emergency responders of the situation around 2:16 p.m.
DNR Conservation Officers Jeff Panich and Casey Pullum heard the radio communication. Based on the last known GPS coordinates from the man’s watch, they responded to the intersection of Snowmobile Trail LP96 and the Shore to Shore Horse Trail at 3:12 p.m.
Panich and Pullum began walking the horse trail along the river and quickly located footprints in the snow. A short distance ahead, they saw a dog on the trail. Beyond the dog, they located the missing man, who was standing with blood covering his legs and feet. He was missing some clothes.
Panich immediately notified dispatch of the man’s location and requested assistance. After Panich approached the man, he said, “Help me,” and collapsed onto the conservation officer.
While the COs were waiting for medical assistance to arrive, the man became unresponsive. Panich and Pullum quickly pulled him out of the woods to a nearby river access parking lot, 4001 Bridge Landing, located off Federal Route 4001.
EMS and deputies quickly arrived and helped load the man into the ambulance, which transferred him to MyMichigan Medical Center Tawas.
Both dogs were secured and will be returned to the man when he is released from the hospital. The boat has not been recovered.
Alcona County Sheriff’s Department, Alcona County EMS and Curran Fire Department also assisted.
