Since 2010 more than 253 people have drowned in the Great Lakes. Eight of these fatal drownings occurred over this year’s Labor Day weekend.
Karl W. Schmidt, 60, a grandfather, was one of those drownings. He was enjoying Lake Michigan with his family over the holiday weekend when tragedy struck his 9-year-old grandson, who was pulled to shore. Schmidt was able to pass the boy to nearby surfers who took him to shore. Sadly in the confusion Schmidt had used his last ounce of energy to save the boy and went under.