(March 12, 2025) On 3/12/25 at approximately 2:00 pm Deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a water rescue on Lake Chemung in Genoa Township. Witnesses reported seeing a windsurfer fall through the ice and that the persons head was still above water.

The Brighton Area Fire Department was first on scene and sent rescuers out to the subject. The rescuers were able to get to the individual, and keep them above water, but were not able to remove him. The Livingston County Dive Team also responded. Due to the distance from shore and poor ice conditions, divers were not able to reach the victim, and boats could not be used.

The United States Coast Guard was requested with a rescue helicopter to assist. The Coast Guard, using a rescue swimmer, was able to remove the victim from the water. The victim, a 90-year-old man from Howell, was turned over to Livingston County EMS who pronounced him deceased.

The Southeast Michigan Dive Group was on stand-by to assist with the rescue.

The Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to stay off the ice. Recent changes in temperature have caused unsafe conditions with weakened and “honeycombed” ice.