ALLEGAN COUNTY—
David and Marilyn Barber of Gobles were enjoying a beautiful fall afternoon on the Kalamazoo River near Fennville Wednesday afternoon. Instead, the day ended in disaster.In a twist, the victim was related to Fennville's fire chief, who was among the responders.
After about three miles of safe canoeing, the canoe tipped, dumping the Barbers into the water. The couple managed to make it to shore, but when they tried to resume, Mr. Barber, 67, ended up in the water again, and Mrs. Barber lost track of him. She called 911.
Marshy conditions gave rescuers a challenge, but they managed to find Mr. Barber in the water, but it was too late.
Meanwhile, Fennville Fire Chief Lowell Winnie realized his crew was trying to save his cousin. Winnie had no idea his relatives were in the area.
(FOX 17's Dan Krauth has more details and interview clips in the video.)
