7/19/23 - Hudsonville Family Rescued From Lake Michigan

A Hudsonville family visiting Ludington, got caught up in the rip currents and high waves at Stearns Beach. An off-duty police officer from Paw Paw jumped in to help.

(Ludington Police Department Post) 7/17 12:46 pm -  Stearns Beach First responders were called to Stearns Beach for a report of several people struggling in the water near the north breakwater. Two Hudsonville boys, ages 7 and 10 were rescued by four people who were walking out on the breakwater. The boy’s mother, a 39-year-old Hudsonville woman, also needed to be rescued after she went in the water after the boys. No injuries were reported; however, the 39-year-old Hudsonville woman was transported to Corwell Ludington Hospital where she was treated and released.

A special thank you to Eric Rottman, Chelsea Rottman, Frank Schwartz, and Megan Styf for their rescue efforts. Eric Rottman is an off-duty Paw Paw police officer. Responding agencies include Ludington Fire, Mason County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police, LIFE EMS, and Ludington Police Department.

**The Ludington Police Department would like to remind residents and visitors about the hazards associated with swimming near breakwater structures and the importance of observing the no swimming area boundaries. It is especially dangerous to swim next to breakwater structures during rough conditions.