A tragic incident occurred on White Lake in White Lake Township where a Detroit man, identified as Christopher Edward Vaquera, age 62, drowned after falling off a boat on Friday evening, authorities reported. According to WWJ Newsradio, the accident took place around 6:30 p.m. when Vaquera was walking to the rear of the vessel to grab a beverage and lost his balance.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office relayed that the victim's brother, aged 65 from Highland Township, was operating the boat at the time of the mishap. In an attempt to save Vaquera, his brother tossed him a flotation device, but, the man could not stay above water. Detroit Free Press noted that neither of the brothers were wearing life jackets, a detail also confirmed by law enforcement officials.
Two kayakers in the vicinity swiftly came to Vaquera's aid, pulling him from the lake and bringing him to shore. There, the White Lake Township Fire Department paramedics took over, administering life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Vaquera was pronounced dead after being rushed to a hospital, The Detroit News reported.
Detectives investigating the incident consider alcohol may have played a role, as per statements from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team. The team was on scene to assist and they are continuing the investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.
