CLEVELAND — The Coast Guard rescued a 3-year-old boy Friday when station personnel heard cries for help at the west end of the boat basin in Grand Haven, Mich.
The name and hometown of the child rescued is not being released, and there is no Coast Guard imagery.
Just after 2 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan received a report from Coast Guard Station Grand Haven that cries for help had been heard at the west end of the boat basin while station crewmembers were preparing their response boat for training.
A Station Grand Haven boatcrew launched aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small, and other station personnel responded by foot.
Upon arriving on scene, the rescue crews discovered four people trying to assist the boy. It was reported to the Coast Guard that the boy had fallen from the east basin at Escanaba Park after losing his balance.
The boy reportedly sustained head injuries during the fall.
Station Grand Haven crews transported the boy to shore and contacted emergency medical services. Other crewmembers assisted the remaining four people out of the water.
Station Grand Haven personnel conducted an initial assessment and kept the boy conscious while awaiting EMS.
EMS arrived on scene, placed the boy on a backboard and transported him to North Ottawa Hospital.
The boy's condition is unknown at this time. The four people did not require any medical assistance.
“It is important that people exercise caution whenever recreating in or near the water,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Greg Mattson, the coxswain and officer-of-the-day at Station Grand Haven. “Parents should remain extra vigilant on piers in the Great Lakes, because many of them lack handrails. It may only take the slightest misstep to cause an emergency situation.”