Boaters rescued Sunday after boat sinks in Lake Erie

LAKE ERIE — Three boaters were rescued Sunday afternoon by nearby good Samaritans who saw the boat begin to sink in Lake Erie near Sterling State Park.

Monroe County Central Dispatch received a call regarding an overturned vessel near Sterling State Park at 3:23 p.m., Sheriff Troy Goodnough said. Three people were reported to be in the water.

The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit was activated and responded to the scene utilizing their 31-foot patrol vessel, Goodnough said in a news release. The Frenchtown Township Fire Department and South Shore Marine Towing also responded with vessels to assist with the search-and-rescue efforts.

The three individuals in the water were rescued by several good Samaritans who were fishing nearby when the vessel began to sink, Goodnough said. The vessel sank in 25 feet of water approximately 3 miles offshore from Sterling State Park.

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The individuals were all transported to the boat launch at Sterling State Park and evaluated by paramedics with Monroe Community Ambulance. A 45-year-old man was transported to ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries that were sustained during the incident. The other two individuals involved were examined by paramedics and released at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit is coordinating with area towboats for the recovery of the sunken vessel. The recovery of the vessel will take place in the coming days. The United States Coast Guard has put out a safety broadcast regarding the submerged vessel.

Goodnough thanked the first responders as well as the good Samaritans who assisted with the successful rescue of the three victims involved.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Boaters rescued May 12 after boat sinks in Lake Erie