On Saturday, Aug. 16, Osceola County emergency personnel was dispatched to Big Lake in Sears for a reported boating accident.

According to witnesses, one individual went underwater and did not resurface.

Search operations were conducted throughout the evening but were eventually suspended due to darkness. They will resume at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

The public is being asked to refrain from boating on Big Lake during this time, so that emergency crews may safely utilize boats and sonar equipment to continue search operations.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was assisted by the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, Morton Township Fire Department, and Mecosta Township Fire Department.

Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

_{Release courtesy of Osceola County Sheriff's Office.}