NewsLocal News

Actions

Man swept off Montague pier, rescued by surfer

Hear from the man's rescuer on FOX 17 News on Thursday evening
Posted
and last updated

MONTAGUE, Mich. — A Grand Rapids surfer rescued a man after the latter was swept off a pier in Montague on Wednesday, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.

The windy day created high waves on Lake Michigan that went over the pier.

“I was walking the pier to jump back in,” says Josh Taylor, the man's rescuer. "He was running back toward shore and the water came up behind him and knocked him over."

That was when Taylor dove after him and placed the man on his surfboard, according to GLSRP. They say Taylor paddled him to a pier ladder, bringing him to safety.

The GLSRP wishes to remind pedestrians not to walk or run on any pier during the winter months, adding that 109 people have drowned in the Great Lakes this year, with Lake Michigan accounting for roughly half of those drownings.

For more on this story, and to hear from the rescuers, watch FOX 17 News at 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11 tonight.

RELATED: Lake Michigan drownings surge to new high in 2020