UPDATE: On Sept. 5, the combined efforts of the Kent County Dive Team, Marine Patrol, and Caledonia Fire Department recovered the body of Nijaz Mulac from the Thornapple River near 68th Street.
ORIGINAL STORY: On Sunday morning about 10:30 a.m., Kent County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a possible drowning at Ruesh’s Park (Kent County Park) at 7602 68th Street S.E. in Caledonia Township.
A 45-year-old man from Kentwood was fishing with his 14-year-old son in the Thornapple River just south of the 68th Street Bridge when the son saw his father in distress in the water and then go under, according to a Kent County Sheriff's news release.
Deputies along with personnel from Caledonia and Cascade Fire Departments searched the area both on the water and along the shoreline without success. The Kent County Dive Team and Marine Patrol Units responded to the scene to start a recovery effort. The effort has been suspended for the night and will resume in the morning.
