Whitmore Lake man who died after boating accident identified
An unoccupied boat floats on Whitmore Lake Sunday, while rescuers search for James Everard, who, along with his 2-year-old daughter, fell out of the boat Sunday. Everard later died.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Everard had been boating with his 2-year-old daughter just before 11 a.m. Sunday when the two were apparently ejected from the small motorized aluminum boat on Whitmore Lake.
Boaters pulled the child, who wore a life jacket, from the water within about 20 minutes, but a dive team recovered her father over an hour after the incident. Both were taken to the University of Michigan Hospital, where Everard was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m. Everard had not been wearing a life jacket.
The man’s family is hopeful the girl will make a full recovery, said Jason Pless, a deputy chief with the Green Oak Charter Township Police Department. The University of Michigan Health System is not providing status updates at the request at the family, though Pless said Monday morning girl remains in the pediatric intensive care unit at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
Police are providing a few more details on the incident the day after the drowning.
Results of an autopsy, including a toxicology report, are pending, said Pless. But police suspect no foul play.
“We believe it’s truly an accident,” Pless said.
Green Oak Township Fire Department personnel brought the boat back to shore. They found the boat’s motor was at full throttle and in forward gear as it spun around, Pless said.
Police think one possibility is that Everard released the steering or lost control of the boat at some point, at which point the boat turned rapidly and threw its occupants out.
Details as to what prompted the tragedy may never surface, he said.
“At this point, we’ll probably never know,” he said. Our only surviving witness is 2, almost 3.”
Despite multiple 911 calls reporting two people were in the water and a boat spinning in circles, no one saw the man and his daughter ejected from the boat, Pless said.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
jeanarrett
Mon, Apr 11, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
Vernell: I will let her know who they are.
Lori
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 6:34 p.m.
I found out about this yesterday afternoon, I have been sickened by the news, especially having three young children of my own. I wanted to let you know we would love to help out the family with anything they might need, meals, whatever. We just live across the lake, near 7 Mile Rd. We have James, the little girl and all of the family in our prayers daily. We are praying for her full recovery, may God grant them all healing, comfort and peace.
Vernell
Wed, Apr 6, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.
Thank you to all who made positive comments and to those who couldn't resist making meanhearted ones - shame on you!! This man adored his daughter and they both loved the lake. He was an excellent boater and took special precautions when his daughter was with him. No one knows why he didn't have his vest on at the time or how the two ended up in the water, we probably never will. Lori and Jean Arrett, thank you especially for your comments. I am a close family member and I know Kristy would like to know who those in the paddle boat are so that she can personally thank them for saving our precious girl. She is doing remarkably well and just came home from the hospital!! Praise God for His mercy! If someone knows who they are, please relay that message to her. Those two plus her next door neighbor are true heroes to this family.
jeanarrett
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 2:29 a.m.
Yes, please, I'm sure they will need help. Let's get something set up for them. I will donate the first $100. This is a small community and while we may not know everyone here--it hurts and it's painful. This community prides itself on taking care of each other, as evidenced by Jesse Burkett's death just a few months ago--let us help, we will. And we will.
loves_fall
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
This is just really sad... I can't even imagine what this family is going through. It's always horrible when something that was supposed to be fun and was done in the name of trying to be a good and involved parent goes so wholly and irreparably wrong. Condolences to the family for their loss and I hope their child makes a full recovery. :(
jeanarrett
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
Many thanks for the heroic deed of a local husband and wife who took immediate action and rescued the little girl, in a PADDLE BOAT no less to the middle of a 600-acre lake--thus averting an even greater tragedy. We know who you are and you are truly heroes. Thank you for everything you did and to the other quick-thinking neighbors who also came to your aide, and for the work of the police, fire and dive team departments.