Two teenagers, swept away from the swimming area and stranded near the pier at Holland State Park, were assisted to safety by a bystander around 2 p.m. June 22.
The bystander utilized one of the life rings located on the pier. After obtaining the ring, the girls were able to make their way from the water onto the rocks.
According to a release from the Park Township Fire Department, staffers were in the process of changing the beach warning flags from yellow to red at the time of the incident, as northwest winds created large waves and hazardous conditions.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, Holland Fire Department’s Rescue Boat, and United States Coast Guard were dispatched to assist, but those efforts were canceled after responders confirmed both subjects were safely out of the water.
The girls, both of Otsego, were evaluated on-scene and released.
Officials urge residents and visitors to closely monitor weather forecasts, beach conditions and warning flags before entering the water.
— Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on X @cassideykava.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Teens saved after bystander provides life ring at Holland State Park
Reporting by Cassidey Kavathas, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Cassidey Kavathas, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
