Teens Rescue Family in Capsized Kayak

A trip to the lake turned into a scary experience for one family – but a couple of young men jumped into action when they were needed most.

The whole ordeal started with what was supposed to be a simple day at Taylor Park on Long Lake in Grand Traverse County. The young men were out for a swim, but they had no idea what was about to happen.

Gabe Olivier says, “We just wanted to go jump in the water, it was a really hot day.”  Gabe and his friend Ethan Morgan are students at TC St. Francis by day. But once school gets out, apparently they turn into heroes.

“I just hear this guy screaming, yelling for help. I look out into the water and I see this big, green kayak that’s capsized. And it looks like there’s two or three people out there,” says Gabe.  A family was kayaking out on the water when they overturned near the middle of the lake. The teens on the shore heard their cries for help – then jumped in a small fishing boat.

Gabe says, “I was like, ‘Ethan! Jump in the boat!’ So we jumped in the little fishing boat that I got. We went out and we picked them up. We brought them on to the boat and we flipped over the kayak.” A four year old girl in a life jacket was in the water. “I grabbed her by the life jacked at pulled her over (into the boat). Then we pulled mom and dad over.”

Even though Long Lake Township fire is just two blocks away – the young men had firefighters beat. Fire Chief Andrew Down says, “Once we arrived on scene we were able to see there was a kayak being assisted by a fishing boat. There was three people on board the kayak: a mother, father and younger child.”

The teens say adrenaline just took over. Ethan says, “A lot of adrenaline rushing through you, that they need help. and not everyone is going to be able to help them.” And Gabe adds, “And it’s like, all right let’s go.”  Gabe grabbed his phone and Ethan grabbed extra towels as they rode out to reach the family.

Chief Down says the adults were experienced swimmers – but cold water can get the best of anyone. “It takes a lot out of you. But you don’t realize how much it takes out of you until you’re cold and in the water. Make sure your life preserver’s on. make sure you take proper precautions for this time of year. Hypothermia is still a real thing with our lakes.”

The Chief credits the teens with taking life-saving action. “Thankfully there’s individuals out there like these two young men, that, that were there to help. And what a great community we live in.”

Gabe says, “It’s a great sense of relief to know we could help someone.” And Ethan adds, “It’s a good feeling to know that you did something good.”

Something good – on good day – with good fortunes for everyone.