Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard recently honored a Holly resident for his heroic efforts in saving a man who had fallen through the ice on Bush Lake. Wade Wines, the 40-year-old local hero, was quick to act when he heard the distress of a snowmobiler who had broken through the lake's surface on January 4. Citing Wines' action, Sheriff Bouchard presented him with a Citizen Citation for Lifesaving, as reported by WHMI.
According to an article published by ClickOnDetroit, Wines heard the snowmobile's engine revving and spotted the 36-year-old man, later identified as Adam Brewer, in trouble. Wines immediately called 911 and then rushed to help Brewer, arming him with ice spikes to cling onto while help was on the way. A neighbor's timely toss of a rope allowed Wines to securely pull Brewer from the icy waters, a move that likely saved Brewer's life. Sheriff Bouchard emphasized the dangers of fluctuating temperatures on ice stability, pleading for public caution and for people to "always be prepared."
In the corresponding interview, Wines recounted the harrowing experience to WXYZ, saying, "I heard him yell help, and I just seemed to kind of kick into action. I surprised myself, to be honest with you." He revealed how after the rescue, the realization of having put himself in danger was "pretty emotional." Bouchard also talked about the recent uptick in ice-related emergencies, asserting that this incident marked the sixth within the past week, and warned against the deceptive nature of seemingly safe ice.
Reiterating safety precautions, Bouchard recommended that anyone venturing onto ice should carry appropriate tools, like a pickaxe, to potentially aid in self-rescue. "Have the appropriate gear on. Have people know where you are and when you're expected to be home," Bouchard advised in his statements to WXYZ. In light of multiple ice-related rescue operations, including a tragic one involving a family dog that did not survive, Bouchard's message was clear: notify loved ones of your whereabouts to help avoid another potential tragedy.
While expressing his relief over the outcome, Wines humbly acknowledged the breadth of his actions. "I'm just glad it had a good conclusion," he told WXYZ. The Sheriff's Office underscored the broader peril of winter activities on ice and urged the community to exercise extreme caution or to avoid the ice altogether, as conditions can change rapidly and unpredictably. For anyone witnessing an emergency on the ice, the advice remains consistent: do not attempt a rescue, but rather call 911 immediately.
