MUNISING -- Two kayakers were rescued by Munising residents off the coast of Grand Island on Sunday.
The two kayakers, a 30-year-old man from Grand Rapids and a 27-year-old woman from Spring Lake, capsized off the thumb of Grand Island around noon on Sunday. They were wearing life jackets and had a whistle.
According to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore officials, Robert Helsel and Steven Welters are credited with saving the kayakers' lives.
"Fortunately they were wearing their life jackets and had a whistle or they most likely would have been lost before Helsel and Welters came by, boating in from a fishing trip," said Park Ranger Clif Edwards.
Edwards also said that the kayakers had been in the water for an hour and a half and were mildly hypothermic.
"This was the fifth near drowning of the weekend in the Pictured Rocks area," said Acting Chief Ranger Bill Smith. "We urge kayakers and swimmers to plan carefully, watch lake conditions closely, and use extreme caution."
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC