MICHIGAN — An 82-year-old Hart man died Thursday evening after his boat capsized on Hart Lake, according to local authorities.
The Hart Police Department and the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews were dispatched around 5:25 p.m. to the area of 112 N. Plum St. following reports of a capsized boat and a man in the water.
Officials said neighbors who witnessed the incident called 911 before launching their pontoon boat to rescue the man from the lake. They brought him to shore and began CPR while awaiting emergency responders.
Despite those efforts, the man, identified as Ronald Robbins of Hart, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division responded and recovered Robbins’ 14-foot aluminum rowboat, which had overturned about 100 feet from shore.
According to authorities, family members and friends told investigators that Robbins had been fishing in preparation for a fish fry planned for dinner that evening.
Officials said Robbins was not wearing a life jacket when the boat capsized.
The incident remains under investigation.
