Great Lakes drownings rise to 87 in 2011
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) -- A water safety organization says 87 people drowned in the Great Lakes last year, up from 74 the year before.
The figures come from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. The group says 44 of the drownings happened in Lake Michigan.
The Muskegon Chronicle says group chief executive Bob Pratt calls the 2011 total "tragic."
He says his group seeks to prevent drownings by educating people about the dangers of the lakes and by teaching people how to use tools such as surfboards to save lives.
Pratt says his organization will work hard this year to cut the loss of life.
The group says Michigan had 18 drownings in 2011. It says there were 14 in Illinois, six in Indiana and five in Wisconsin.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
