Two Men Identified in July 3rd Drownings

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two men who died Tuesday night in separate drownings on two Jackson County lakes.

Dennis Richard Henderson Jr., 42, of the Vandercook Lake area was swimming about 9 p.m. July 3 on a foam flotation mat when it overturned at Vandercook Lake County Park in Summit Township, according to the sheriff’s office. A woman and two children were able to swim to the surface, but Henderson did not. County divers found him about 10:30 p.m. and he was later pronounced dead at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. MLive.com reports that marine patrol deputies, firefighters and citizens aided in the search.

Within 40 minutes of the reported drowning at Vandercook Lake, Verne Ivan Southworth, 54, of Brooklyn was reported missing in Big Wolf Lake, on the north side, off Wolf Lake Forest. Southworth was a passenger on a boat grouped there with others in anticipation of a fireworks display, Undersheriff Chris Kuhl said. He was swimming among or back and forth between vessels and began to struggle. The lake was packed with boats, neighbors said and called the event tragic, unfortunate and terrible.

Several people risked their own safety and jumped in to help him, but could not find him, Kuhl said. At least one other person tried to throw a device to him. The sheriff’s marine patrol was on Wolf Lake at the time and went to the area. Jackson County divers were still searching Vandercook Lake, but some went to Wolf Lake. The Lenawee County dive team assisted. By then, it was dark. Authorities cordoned off the area and someone remained at the scene all night, Kuhl said. The search resumed in the morning. Divers found Southworth’s body about 11 a.m. July 4, according to the sheriff’s office.

Kuhl said he was in about 25 to 30 feet of water close to the area where he disappeared. It was a hot Independence Day that brought many to the lakes. Kuhl said water safety has to be paramount on such and all days. People need to be familiar with the water and have some swimming skill. The activity can be exhausting, especially in deep areas.

He further advised to remain within marked swimming areas. “Be aware of your swimming abilities and don’t swim beyond that,” the undersheriff said. Most importantly, people need to realize the possible danger of consuming a lot of alcohol and swimming.

Whether alcohol played a factor in the Tuesday drownings is part of the investigations, which continue, Kuhl said.

Media in this post courtesy of MLive.com. Tune into our local and state newscasts, anytime day or night, for this story and more.