Yesterday at Briggs Lake in Green Oak Township, it turned fatal when a Howell man died after falling from a paddleboard, despite frantic rescue efforts along the shoreline by bystanders and police. First responders continued life-saving measures and rushed the 51-year-old to a local hospital by ambulance, where he was later pronounced dead, according to authorities.
Green Oak Township police were called to Briggs Lake around 1 p.m. after a report of a man in the water. Responders began life-saving efforts at the scene, and Livingston County EMS transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation, ClickOnDetroit reports.
Paddleboarding Risks In National Data
Standup paddleboards represent a relatively small but visible share of paddling-related fatalities, and national boating data show a familiar and troubling pattern: many paddling drownings involve victims who are not wearing personal flotation devices. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that paddling activities, including standup paddleboards, kayaks and canoes, account for a sizable portion of recreational boating deaths and that life-jacket use among drowning victims is low.
Where It Happened And What Officials Are Asking
Briggs Lake sits in southern Green Oak Township near Howell, according to mapping records from HomeTownLocator. Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with information to contact the Green Oak Township Police Department, as noted on the township’s official website, Green Oak Township, which lists department contact details.
Tips For Paddlers
Boating safety experts generally advise paddlers to wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved personal flotation device, use a leash, check weather conditions before heading out and keep a phone or whistle handy for emergencies. The U.S. Coast Guard notes that many paddling deaths occur close to shore and that life-jacket use among drowning victims is low, a sobering reminder that even small and familiar lakes can turn dangerous very quickly.
