By Megan Hess
Review Staff Writer
Jonathan Edward Harper, 19, became the first casualty of the 2009 boating season when he accidentally drowned in Lake Orion on Saturday.
Harper was a resident of Orion Township. He and four other friends were on Lake Orion in a pontoon boat when Harper fell into the chilly May water. No one in the group was wearing a floatation device.
‘The loss of this young man’s life should serve as an urgent call to action for anyone who ventures onto the water, to wear a Coast Guard approved safety flotation device, as most drowning victims had no intention of being in the water,? said Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh.
According to the operator of the boat, the friends were on a pleasure cruise of the lake, and were returning to his lake-front residence when the accident occurred.
‘All of the victim’s friends on board the boat tried valiantly to save his life,? reports said.
Harper fell into the water about 150 yards from shore after reaching for something floating off the front of the boat.
‘The bottom depth was well beyond the ability to touch while remaining above water,? said police. ‘Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.?
LOPD’s investigation revealed Harper was not an experienced swimmer and was not wearing a flotation device. He was holding onto a ladder while reaching in front of the boat when he fell head-first into the water. The ladder fell from the boat and may have become entwined with his feet as he tried to stay above the water.
Two of Harper’s friends jumped into the cold water in an attempt to assist him. By the time they reached him, he was unconscious. The operator of the boat circled around and also entered the water in an attempted rescue.
LO residents James and Julie Siwek were boating on the water nearby and observed the friends in the water in apparent distress. The Siweks responded with their boat as well as calling 9-1-1 to request Emergency Services.
‘In my opinion, the Siwek’s assistance was paramount in preventing additional drownings, since the ladder was broken on the pontoon boat, they were all in cold water and in immediate distress,? said Narsh. ‘Thank God the Siweks were there to render aid or this could have been a multiple victim drowning. They are indeed the heroes of the day.?
Lake Orion Police Officers, Orion Township Fire Department and Star EMS personnel were standing by when Harper was brought to shore. They transported him to Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac where he was later pronounced dead.
An autopsy named accidental drowning as cause of death.
‘Our hearts go out to the parents and family members of Mr. Harper. They have expressed their hope that everyone will take stock in their families and their lives and share this tragedy with loved ones before they enter onto the water,? Narsh said.