Divers search for missing kayaker

IONIA COUNTY, MI – Rescue crews are searching for a man who went missing while kayaking on Sessions Lake in the Ionia County Recreation Area on Sunday, July 14.

The man is a Grand Rapids resident in his mid-30s, Ionia County sheriff’s officials said.

His name was not published.

Rescue workers searched until nightfall on Sunday and then continued the rescue operations on Monday morning.

The incident was reported around 7 p.m. on Sunday.

A caller reported to Ionia County dispatch that a kayaker had tipped over and not resurfaced. Water rescue teams from several fire departments and the sheriff’s dive team responded but were unable to locate the man.

Rescue workers found his life jacket.

Police determined the man had been kayaking on the small lake with his girlfriend when they took off their life jackets because they were uncomfortable. The victim was last seen at 6:57 p.m., sheriff’s officials said.

Ionia County Sheriff’s divers worked with Kent County Sheriff’s divers to recover the victim’s body Monday. Other responders included Berlin-Orange Township, Lake Odessa, Saranac Community, Lyons-Muir fire departments, the Ionia Department of Public Safety and the Ionia County Victim Advocacy Team.