4 Year Old Boy Spots Overturned Kayaker
PLAINFIELD (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A four-year-old boy spoted an overturned kayaker which lead to his rescue.
Police say Phillip Storm, 30, of Plainfield Township was kayaking on Versluis Lake with his dog Monday around 1:49 p.m. Storm's kayak flipped, throwing him into the icy water. He then clung to the overturned kayak and was unable to get back in.
Carter Louisell, 4, was at his grandmothers on Crystal Water Lane when he saw Storm in the water. Carter told his grandma what he saw. Joan VanZee, 62, got her binoculars and saw the man in the water.
VanZee told her grandson to stay in the home as she grabbed her life jacket and launched her kayak into the icy waters. She rowed several hundred yards into strong headwind, with a foot of choppy waves to rescue Storm.
Storm tossed his small dog, which had been on top of his overturned kayak, into VanZee's arms as she pulled him to shore. He was then treated for hypothermia before being taken to the hospital.
Storm was not wearing a life jacket and it was estimated he was in the 35 degree water for about 15 minutes. Storm has been released from the hospital.
