Mail boat crew saves man swimming across Detroit River Man says he was trying to get back to the United States
(J.W. Westcott Co.)
DETROIT – A man was rescued by a mail boat crew late Monday night after attempting to swim across the Detroit River.
At around 11 p.m. on Sept. 23, deckhand James Sharp saw the man swimming inside a life ring thrown to him by someone on shore in Windsor, Ontario. The U.S. Mail Boat J.W. Westcott II maneuvered alongside where Sharp and Captain Neil Schultheiss lifted the man onto the deck of the mail boat.
The swimmer said he was an American citizen from Florida and was trying to return to the United States. Officials said he seemed disoriented or under the influence. He was sent to the Detroit fireboat and transported to shore to an awaiting EMS unit.
Officials said that although he was cold, he had no physical injuries.
Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Samantha Sayles headshot
Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint.
911 call from Sherrone Moore's wife after firing â–¶ 1:58
911 call from Sherrone Moore's wife after firing
The hidden danger of that first call to your insurance company â–¶ 0:46
The hidden danger of that first call to your insurance company
Maria Scott's quick thinking prevents school tragedy â–¶ 1:08
Maria Scott's quick thinking prevents school tragedy
Detroit Mayor Sheffield formally takes oath of office â–¶ 3:26
Detroit Mayor Sheffield formally takes oath of office
Romulus shooting suspect disrupts court, cusses out judge â–¶ 1:02
Romulus shooting suspect disrupts court, cusses out judge
Oakland County man honored for life-saving rescue on Bush Lake in Holly â–¶ 0:45
Oakland County man honored for life-saving rescue on Bush Lake in Holly
Ypsilanti standoff damages home, disrupts local services â–¶ 0:43
Ypsilanti standoff damages home, disrupts local services
Cat filter disrupts Michigan court hearing â–¶ 0:23
Cat filter disrupts Michigan court hearing
Hearing in Washtenaw County foster family killings â–¶ 1:37
Hearing in Washtenaw County foster family killings
Acker's death ruled accidental; USPS safety questioned â–¶ 0:44
Acker's death ruled accidental; USPS safety questioned
Detroit sees lowest murder rate since 1965 â–¶ 0:37
Detroit sees lowest murder rate since 1965
Hearing on Mario Willis arson case continues â–¶ 1:22
Hearing on Mario Willis arson case continues
They were filming inside a business. That led to a confrontation â–¶ 0:36
They were filming inside a business. That led to a confrontation
Armed man arrested at Romulus Middle School â–¶ 2:27
Armed man arrested at Romulus Middle School
US/Canada icebreaking effort aids Great Lakes â–¶ 0:31
US/Canada icebreaking effort aids Great Lakes
3 Preventable Ways Insurance Companies Use to Deny Your Claim.mp4 â–¶ 0:51
3 Preventable Ways Insurance Companies Use to Deny Your Claim.mp4
Powerful winds cause Lake Erie to flee Ohio, Michigan â–¶ 0:56
Powerful winds cause Lake Erie to flee Ohio, Michigan
Record-breaking snowfall hits Upper Peninsula â–¶ 0:24
Record-breaking snowfall hits Upper Peninsula
Firefighter injured as crews battle fire at Southgate motel â–¶ 0:54
Firefighter injured as crews battle fire at Southgate motel
From the Vault: Christmas shopping in Detroit, 1973 â–¶ 1:05
From the Vault: Christmas shopping in Detroit, 1973
U.S. beef prices soar over past year â–¶ 0:43
U.S. beef prices soar over past year
Michigan players react to Sherrone Moore situation â–¶ 1:23
Michigan players react to Sherrone Moore situation
Bell ringer shot dead at Kroger; suspect arrested â–¶ 0:39
Bell ringer shot dead at Kroger; suspect arrested
Court docs: Moore's arrest tied to ended relationship â–¶ 0:49
Court docs: Moore's arrest tied to ended relationship
Hero cop saves 1-year-old in Sterling Heights â–¶ 0:58
Hero cop saves 1-year-old in Sterling Heights
Previous photo Next photo