A 97-year-old man was rescued after he fell into the Grand River during the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven. The near-tragedy unfolded last night near the docked USCGC Mackinaw and USCGC Katmai Bay, which were open for public tours at the time. According to FOX 17, the man, who was using a walker, lost his balance and tumbled more than six feet into the water just before 7 p.m.
Seaman Joseph Turk of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay was quick to react, immediately diving in to keep the man afloat. Turk, having served less than a year in the Coast Guard, managed to successfully maintain the man's buoyancy for over 20 minutes. This ordeal was captured on video which the Coast Guard later shared on social media, as reported by MLive. The man was eventually reached with the aid of rescue equipment that was lowered to the water's surface.
The man sustained injuries to his hand and leg due to the fall. He received medical care at Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital following the incident. WOODTV provided information on the man's condition, stating he suffered injuries to his right hand and leg.
Regarding the rescuer, Seaman Turk's actions are particularly notable considering his relatively new status within the Coast Guard, being on the job for less than a year. He is stationed aboard the Katmai Bay, a 140-foot icebreaking tug.
