1 Dead, 1 Critical After Boating Accident

A downstate man is dead, and another is in critical condition tonight, after a weekend boating accident off the eastern U.P.

It happened at about 3:30 Sunday afternoon just northwest of Drummond Island.

The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department isn’t releasing the 2 men’s names.

However, they do say the men were 79 and 76 years old, and they were both from the Cheboygan area.

Police say their boat hit a series of waves, sending it out of control.

One of them was thrown overboard.

The other was thrown from his seat into the rear of the boat and knocked unconscious.

Neither man was wearing a life preserver.

The 79-year-old was taken to War Memorial Hospital in the Soo, but he died shortly after arriving there.

The 76-year-old was taken to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

Police say alcohol wasn’t involved.

POLICE SAY ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED.