A day at the beach at Versluis Lake turned terrifying yesterday when a 2-year-old girl was pulled from the water and had to be revived. A Kent County Sheriff’s deputy and a bystander performed CPR on the child until emergency crews arrived, according to officials. Plainfield Township firefighters treated her at the scene before taking her to a nearby hospital. Fire officials said the fast work by witnesses and first responders likely saved the toddler’s life, although her condition has not been released.
Rescue and initial response
According to MLive, the girl was pulled from the water around 4:25 p.m. Sunday at Versluis Park. By the time firefighters reached her, she was breathing and starting to respond, and crews continued medical care before transporting her to a local hospital.
A witness told a Kent County Sheriff’s deputy that a bystander had already started CPR. The deputy joined in and continued efforts until paramedics took over, MLive reported.
Fire department praises quick action
As reported by WOODTV, the Plainfield Township Fire Department later posted on social media that “the bystanders’ quick actions helped save a life.” The department added that there were no further details available on the child’s condition.
Versluis Park rules and water quality
Versluis Park, located at 3650 Versluis Park in Grand Rapids, features a public beach and playground but does not provide a lifeguard on duty. Voluntary water testing on June 30 showed E. coli levels well below the state limit for swimming, according to Plainfield Township. Township information also notes that the Kent County Sheriff’s Office will patrol the park this summer and that any water activities are at visitors’ own risk.
Why bystander CPR matters
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health experts say that calling 911 immediately and starting CPR on the spot can sharply improve a victim’s chances of survival, and the American Heart Association offers simple hands-only CPR guidance designed for bystanders.
Plainfield Township officials have been pushing CPR and AED awareness this summer, emphasizing that bystanders are often the “main link in survival” and urging residents to get trained. The fire department has encouraged parents to keep a close eye on children near any body of water and has directed the public to local CPR training options and the township’s emergency-preparedness pages for more details, according to Plainfield Township.
