GROSSE ILE (WWJ) – A young Grosse Ile man is dead after his boat capsized over the weekend.
Police were called to the Ford Yacht Club around 7:45 a.m. Saturday after getting reports of a capsized boat. An 18-foot StarCraft was found drifting off shore with damage to the bow.
The man driving the boat, later identified as a 23-year-old from Grosse Ile, was eventually found in the water around 5:40 p.m. Saturday, according to police.
Witnesses at the scene on Saturday told WWJ it appeared a water rescue was underway, as a helicopter hovered overhead and a marine boat was seen in the water. Multiple fire trucks were also at the scene.
On Saturday afternoon officials with the Grosse Ile Yacht Club told WWJ that multiple law enforcement agencies had gathered at the scene to ensure the safety of swimmers participating in a 10k open water swim event on the Detroit River.
The yacht club official said that authorities were at the location as a precaution, but couldn't say for sure if a swimmer needed assistance, prompting confusion.
Later on Saturday police officials confirmed the man had died. It was not clear if he had any connection to the open swim event.
The man’s name has not been released. His body was turned over to the Wayne County Medical Examiner. It is not clear whether anyone else was on the boat with him.
“The Grosse Ile Police and Fire Department personnel conducted this operation in conjunction with the Wayne County Sheriff Department Marine and Dive Team, Downriver Mutual Aid Dive Team and the US Coast Guard Station Belle Isle and Air Station Detroit for this recovery operation,” police officials said in a press release.