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OCEANA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A large-scale search involving multiple agencies was launched Friday night after several people reported seeing what appeared to be a parachute fall into Lake Michigan near Little Sable Point in Oceana County.
According to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Mason-Oceana 911 received a call around 9:51 p.m. reporting an object resembling a parachute falling from the sky and into the water near the Little Point Sable Lighthouse.
Witnesses told dispatchers they saw the object break into two pieces before landing in the lake about eight miles offshore. Callers also reported seeing no lights visible from the object or from the shoreline.
The report prompted activation of a water emergency response plan, bringing together law enforcement, fire, EMS, and search-and-rescue resources.
The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, U.S. Coast Guard, Pentwater Fire Department’s drone team, Silver Lake State Park rangers, and Mason-Oceana 911 all responded to the scene. A Coast Guard helicopter from Traverse City also assisted in the search.
Authorities established a command post near the Little Point Sable parking lot, while responders used the lighthouse as a vantage point to aid search efforts and communications.
After conducting water and air search patterns, officials were unable to locate any evidence of a person in the water or an aircraft-related emergency.
The search was discontinued shortly after midnight, at approximately 12:32 a.m., with no contact made.
Officials have not released any additional information about what witnesses may have seen.
