NEWAYGO COUNTY, Mich. — A 26-year-old man was killed while inner tubing Saturday afternoon on the Muskegon River in Newaygo County.
Just after 3 p.m. Saturday, the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a man who disappeared underwater while inner tubing on the Muskegon River in Bridgetown Township. Friends soon found him underwater and brought him to shore.
Sheriff Pat Hedlund said a Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department boat arrived at the scene almost immediately.
Rescue personnel performed CPR. The man — identified as Kevin Tejchma, 26, of Fruitport — was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the sheriff’s office, alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, which remains under investigation by the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Department.
“We want to remind everyone once again that the Muskegon River, like most rivers, can have unpredictable depths, currents and obstructions,” Hedlund said. “We encourage river users to wear flotation devices, limit their alcohol intake and use the river responsibly.”
