Death on water in St. Joseph

·        Date and Time of Incident:         09/24/2017

·        Type of Incident:              Death on water                                              

·        Location of Incident:        Lake Michigan, approx.. 2 miles north of Saint Joseph Piers

                                                And approx. 200 yards off of shoreline                                

·        Agencies Involved:           Berrien County Sheriff Department Marine Division

                                                Berrien County 911/Central Dispatch

United States Coast Guard

Saint Joseph Public Safety Department

                                                Medic 1                                  

Narrative:

On 09/24/17, at approx. 1538 hours, Berrien County 911 received a call of a male in the water unresponsive.  Units responded to area north of Rocky Gap park where they found a family member and unknown Good Samaritans providing CPR.  The victim was moved from shore in a Good Samaritan vessel and transferred to the USCG vessel where CPR was continued and the victim, later identified as Robert Amenitsch of Niles, IL, was transported to Coast Guard Station Saint Joseph where after continued medical efforts was declared deceased.

The victim, Robert Amenitsch, had been being towed on a floating raft-like tube at a very low rate of speed behind a vessel being operated by his son, Michael Amenitsch of Stevensville, Michigan.  Also on board the vessel were two small children, the victim’s spouse, Linda Amenitsch and the vessel operator’s fiancé, Kelley McGeary, also of Stevensville, Michigan.  While slowly towing the victim, Mr. Robert Amenitsch, towards the shoreline at near or below, no-wake speed, the victim Robert Amenitsch rolled onto his back and then into the water.

The operator Michael Amenitsch, immediately turned the vessel around, finding his father unresponsive.  Per witnesses onboard the vessel, Michael Amenitsch began rescue breathing and with the assistance of unknown Good Samaritans, transferred the victim to the beach and began CPR.  Due to the difficult location and urgency, the victim was, as stated previously in the release, transferred to the USCG vessel and transported to the Saint Joseph Michigan Coast Guard Station, where, in spite of gallant efforts by all involved, was later pronounced deceased.