Bodies Identified In Deaths Of Two Battle Creek Area Kayakers
Authorities in Calhoun County have identified the two victims who reportedly died while kayaking in Emmett Township, after rescue attempts were made on Beadle Lake Wednesday morning.
The female victim was identified as 25-year-old Morgan McKenzie Smith who police say lived at a residence on Beadle Lake. The male victim was identified as 32-year-old Timothy John Geibig of Battle Creek.
Emmett Township authorities were dispatched to the east side of the lake at approximately 7:15 am on a water rescue call. Officers learned that two people had gone out on the lake on kayaks at around 10:30 Tuesday evening and did not return. The father of one of the missing kayakers realized that the two hadn’t returned and went out looking for them.
A short time later, the body of the missing female was found in the water near the east side of the lake. Near the female, the missing male’s body was also located in the water. One kayak was recovered but the second kayak (bright green in color) is still unaccounted for. It did not appear that either of the victims were wearing a life jacket.
Anyone who may have been on the lake at that time, or who may have found a bright green kayak, or with any additional information that may be relevant to the case are asked to call the Emmett Township Department of Public Safety at 269-968-9303 or Silent Observer.
The incident is still under investigation.
Emmett Township officials are urging people to use extra caution when out on the water, whether you are swimming, kayaking or boating. When boating or kayaking, make sure that everyone participating is wearing a life jacket. Officers also ask that all boats or water vessels (jet-skis/kayaks/canoes) are easily identifiable and brightly lit when out on the waters after dark.