Crime & Safety
Oakland County, MI Rescue: Man, 77, Critical After Lake Fall
Oxford Township, MI – A 77 year old Rochester Hills man remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition after Oakland County sheriff's deputies rescued him from Paint Lake on Sunday, October 25,
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-10-26T01:03:55.957Z
Oxford Township, MI – A 77 year old Rochester Hills man remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition after Oakland County sheriff 's deputies rescued him from Paint Lake on Sunday, October 25, following an apparent fall from a dock while launching a boat.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, deputies, the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team and the Oxford Township Fire Department responded around 1:20 p.m. Sunday to the Paint Lake public boat launch after receiving a report of an unresponsive man in the water.
Deputies Find Man Approximately 20 Feet From Shore Authorities said the man was approximately 20 feet from shore when emergency personnel arrived.
Responding deputies removed him from the lake and immediately began lifesaving measures before transferring him to paramedics.
The man was transported to a local hospital for additional treatment. Sheriff's officials confirmed that he remained in critical but stable condition following the rescue.
His identity and the name of the hospital were not released in the department's initial statement.
Investigation Reveals Man Fell While Launching Boat A preliminary investigation determined the 77 year old had fallen from a dock while attempting to launch a boat.
Investigators said he was not wearing a life jacket when the incident occurred.
The Sheriff's Office also reported that alcohol does not appear to have contributed to the incident.
Authorities have not released additional details about how long the man was in the water before deputies arrived.
Investigation Remains Ongoing The Oakland County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The rescue highlights the potential dangers associated with boating and dock activities, particularly when individuals enter the water unexpectedly.
Life jackets can provide critical protection during accidental falls, even when someone is standing near shore.
No additional information about the man's recovery or prognosis was provided in Sunday's release.