OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard is honoring a local hero for his life-saving actions during a rescue on Bush Lake in Holly.
On Jan. 4, Wade Wines, 40, of Holly, rescued a 36-year-old man who had fallen through the surface of the lake while snowmobiling.
Wines said he heard the snowmobile revving and noticed the man was in trouble, so he immediately ran to the scene and called 911.
Wines gave the man ice spikes to hold onto while waiting for help.
A neighbor then threw Wines a rope, which he was able to secure around the man and pull him out of the water.
His quick response likely saved the man’s life.
“Really grateful for all the appreciation,” he said. “No ice is safe ice, so always be prepared. I was that day fortunately.”
Sheriff Bouchard noted this was the sixth ice-related incident in the past seven days.
He said it’s a good opportunity to remind people to stay safe on the ice, especially with changing temperatures.
“Be really cautionary with the temperature fluctuations we’ve had and the melting,” Sheriff Bouchard said. “Then you get snow and it insulates the weak ice.”