HOLLAND (WWJ/AP) - Divers have recovered a body in Lake Michigan in an area of Holland State Park where a teenage girl vanished in January after a large wave swept her into the lake.
Ottawa County sheriff's deputies were called the park's north pier Thursday on a reported possible human body. A sheriff's dive team worked for several hours before freeing the body from underwater rocks.
The sheriff's office did not release any additional information but the body was taken to a hospital for an autopsy.
The body was found not far from where 16-year-old Eliza Trainer was swept into the lake on Jan. 1.
Trainer, a junior at Flushing High School near Flint, was swept off the pier and fell into the water at approximately 11:30 p.m. An 18-year-old boy who was with Trainer hit his head, but was able to get out of the water and return to shore. Trainer disappeared under the water and is presumed drowned.
A GoFundMe account, which has raised more than $15,000 to help Trainer's family, explained that her friend did everything he could to save her after they ended up in the lake.
"They clung to each other for about 5 minutes, trying to make their way to the rocks. Her friend was able to get on a rock while still holding her hand, but as he was trying to pull her up another wave came and took her from his grip. He tried to find her but she was quickly swept away. He fought again to get out of the angry waves and was able to run for help."
Trainer, whose mother died five years ago from breast cancer, had dreams of becoming a diesel mechanic after graduation. She spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying hikes in the woods and would do anything to help those in need, according to her friends and family.
