FRANKFORT, Mich. – An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City rescued a man at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday afternoon from the icy waters of Lake Michigan.
The victim, Billy McKeon, 45, was walking on the breakwall when he slipped and fell into the water. A good samaritan saw him fall in and informed Coast Guard Station Frankfort.
Four members from Station Frankfort responded quickly with ice rescue equipment and were able to throw a line to McKeon, but were unable to pull him to safety on to the icy breakwall. Air Station Traverse City arrived on-scene shortly after notification with a HH-65C rescue helicopter and hoisted him to safety.
McKeon was possibly hypothermic but conscious and responsive, he was transferred to a North Flight ambulance that transported him to Munson Medical Center.
