First responders from Glen Lake Fire Department in Upper Michigan rescue a 5-year-old boy in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore during a multi-agency search, June 29, 2018. A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City located the boy after being requested to search from the air. (U.S. Coast Guard photos by Air Station Traverse City)
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Coast Guard assisted local agencies in finding a 5-year-old boy who went missing in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Friday.
The name of the boy is not being released by the Coast Guard.
A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan command center in Milwaukee received a request at about 6:30 p.m. local time from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center asking for air assistance in helping the Sleeping Bear Dunes Park Rangers locate a 5-year-old boy. The boy had been reported missing in the park for more than an hour.
The watchstander then coordinated with the Coast Guard’s District Nine command center who requested a crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City to launch aboard an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter.
The aircrew launched about 8:30 p.m. EDT and arrived overhead at the park within ten minutes to commence searching. At about 9:15 p.m., the helicopter crew located the missing boy. A rescue swimmer was lowered to remain with him until first responders from the Glen Lake Fire Department could be directed to the location by the helicopter pilots. Members of the fire department then reunited the boy with his parents. He was listed in good condition.
In addition to the Coast Guard, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park Rangers and the Glen Lake Fire Department, the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Department was also involved in the search.
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