Branch County Sheriff Deputies responded to Silver Lake Pine Island Dr. in Kinderhook Twp. reference two fisherman fell through the ice. Branch County Sheriff Dive team was dispatched along with Lakeland Fire Dept. and Life Care Ambulance.

Sheriff Deputies arrived and found William Lewis of Hillsdale Michigan and Shawn Cronkhite of Coldwater, Michigan, standing in approximately FIVE feet of water hanging onto their ice fishing sled. The two fisherman had left access earlier in day and were in middle of lake. When they changed positions, later in the day, they both fell through the ice approximately 200 yards off shore. Fortunately, the water depth was only 5 feet deep. The fisherman was in extremely cold water for approximately twenty to 25 minutes.

Lake Land Fire Dept. rescue truck deployed their ice sled and yellow water tight “gumby” suits. The fireman went into the waist water and had to break through the ice to eventually get to both fishermen. Safety lined and floatation wraps were attached to the two fisherman and pulled into shore. Life Care paramedics treated both fisherman for hypothermia. They were completely exhausted with no energy to save themselves when rescued by Lake Land Fireman.

Branch County Sheriff Deputies were assisted at the scene by, Life Care Ambulance, Lake Land Fire Dept. and Branch County Sheriff’s Dive Team unit.