Four men rescued from Lake Michigamme Sunday after boat sinks

Four men were rescued from Lake Michigamme this weekend after their boat started to take on water.

The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident around 3 p.m. Sunday near Brown’s Bay.

By the time police arrived, a resident living on the lake had helped the men out of the water.

Alexander Smith, 48, of Michigamme, Donald Smith, 45 of Lapeer, David Koller, 58, of Macomb, and Alexander Smith, 58, of Ray were fishing when they heard crack in their 16-foot boat.  Police say the transom and motor broke apart from the boat, causing it to take on water and sink.  The fishermen were not wearing lifejackets at the time of the incident. Three men were able to put on a lifejacket, and another wore one around his neck.

One man was taken to Bell Memorial Hospital for spinal pain, but was later released.

The sheriff’s office would like to remind all boat operators to inspect their vessels for seaworthiness before venturing onto waters and recommends all occupants wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device when on the water.