Joint Agency Search Rescues Lost Tubers in Twin Lake, MI

Rescuers moved through dense forest brush near Twin Lake, Michigan. Searchers paused every few steps to call into the thick trees. Distant shouting suddenly answered through the dense foliage. Conservation officers pushed through heavy brush toward the faint voices.

Emergency Search on the Muskegon River

On Wednesday, Aug. 5, relatives contacted the Michigan State Police. They could not reach three family members tubing on the river. Jazmin Hock, Sarah Vida, and 9-year-old Kayden Kovalcik were missing. The group entered the Muskegon River from Maple Island boat launch. This entry point was 6 or 7 miles from where crews found them. Searchers discovered pool flotation devices floating along the water. Crews executed a grid search across the river for nearly 72 hours. Community members often ask how do police find missing people in woods. Their work showed how to search for missing people in difficult terrain.

Tracking Footprints and Bent Grass

Department of Natural Resources officers knew the remote river corridor well. Every DNR officer involved used keen observation skills during the search. CO Cameron Wright, CO Anna Cullen, and CO Seth Rhodea checked a log jam. Wright stated, "My partner and I work this area all the time." Officers noticed a faint path in the grass leading into trees. Fresh footprints in the mud showed where the tubers entered the forest. Search teams followed tipped ferns, bent grass, and snapped sticks.

An MSP search dog team assisted conservation officers in the woods. Cullen called out and noted, "They’re beyond that tree line." Wright shouted back, "We’re coming, guys." Rescuers located the trio three-quarters of a mile from Mill Iron Boat Launch. Young Kayden explained, "We were on the river for four hours." The family members had been barefoot for three days in the forest. Wright exclaimed, "You guys beat the odds." Cullen reassured the child, saying, "You’re going to be OK." When asked about walking, one woman replied, "I’m forcing myself, but..." Rescuers wrapped her in a shirt and carried Kayden on a back. Released bodycam footage captured the emotional moment of discovery.

Professional Skills and Dedication

The successful DNR rescue brought immediate relief to search crews. The entire DNR team worked alongside state police units during the mission. Officers relied on advanced DNR tracking techniques to read subtle ground signs. Specialized DNR training equips officers to handle remote wilderness emergencies. Each dedicated conservation officer demonstrated deep knowledge of local terrain. Their ongoing conservation efforts protect natural spaces while saving lives. Officers used honed conservation skills to navigate hazardous river log jams.

Standing With Michigan First Responders

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do search and rescue teams locate missing river tubers?

Search and rescue teams locate missing river tubers by checking downstream log jams, tracking shorelines, and scanning remote water routes. Rescuers look for discarded flotation gear, foot tracks in mud, and broken vegetation along remote banks to narrow down search areas.

2. What specialized tracking skills do conservation officers use in wilderness searches?

Conservation officers use specialized tracking skills to identify subtle environmental signs left by lost individuals in dense forests. Officers observe bent grass, tipped ferns, snapped twigs, and directionally displaced soil to follow lost paths through areas far from roads.

3. How do search dogs assist during wilderness search operations?

Search dogs assist during wilderness operations by detecting human scent trails across dense brush, woods, and riverbanks. Trained K9 units work closely alongside search crews to cover large areas quickly and guide officers directly toward lost individuals stranded in remote locations.

Sources:

• Story and Video Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

• Additional Reporting: Bodycam footage shows rescue of missing tubers after 3 days