GhLinks Media
A 26 year old Detroit man identified as Jaylen Brickerson drowned in an Oakland County lake over the weekend after going into the water off of a boat.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team responded to Cass Lake at around 4:15 p.m. on June 22 for a report of a drowning.
Jaylen Brickerson was on a 20-foot boat in the lake with four other people. The boat had been trolling over a sandbar in the lake but eventually moved to deeper water.
According to the sheriff’s office, Jaylen did not know the boat moved and went into the lake, which was 55 feet deep. He did not know how to swim.
A friend jumped into the lake from the boat to help save the Jaylen. The friend was able to get him up to the surface momentarily before the Detroit man began panicking. The sheriff’s office said the friend could not hold him, and he went underwater.
Divers found the Jaylen Brickerson within six minutes. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
According to the sheriff’s office, there was conflicting information about where the Jaylen entered the water, which hampered the rescue attempt.
“With the onset of warmer weather and a substantial increase in water activity, we urge people to employ flotation devices and wear them if they are not strong swimmers, irrespective of the situation,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “Additionally, it is crucial to have life-saving equipment on board boats to rescue individuals in distress. An enjoyable day on the water can rapidly become a tragic moment.”
