MASON COUNTY, MICHIGAN – The Mason County, Michigan, Sheriff’s Office confirmed that an Iowa man who worked as a middle school principal became trapped in the waters of Lake Michigan and drowned.
Sheriff Kim C. Cole reported that at 1:49 PM, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, emergency crews responded to a reported person struggling in the water in Lake Michigan at the Ludington State Park. Several persons entered the water in an effort to assist the subject, however, by the time he was reached he had slipped under the surface. Those citizens who responded were able to locate the victim under the surface and pull him to a raft, and then to shore where CPR was started.
At 2:50 PM the victim was pronounced deceased at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. The victim from the water emergency was identified as 44-year-old Mark Scholes of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Mr. Scholes began to struggle in the waters of Lake Michigan, at the outlet of the Sauble River. He slipped under the surface as fellow beachgoers were attempting to reach him. Mr. Scholes was pronounced deceased at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital.
Officers with the Ludington Police Department, Troopers with the Michigan State Police, Ludington State Park Rangers, Hamlin and Ludington Fire Department along with LIFE EMS all responded to the scene and assisted deputies.