Oakland County, MI – A 62-year-old Detroit man died Friday evening after falling from a boat into White Lake in White Lake Township.
Christopher Edward Vaquera was on the boat being driven by his brother, a 65-year-old resident of Highland Township, at about 6:30 p.m. when the accident happened. According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Vaquera was walking to the rear of the boat to get a beverage when he lost his balance and fell into the lake.
The brother threw a flotation device into the water to assist, but Vaquera was unable to stay afloat. Two kayakers who were nearby pulled him from the lake and took him to shore. White Lake Township Fire Department paramedics performed life-saving measures. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team (SSRT) also responded to assist at the scene and investigate.
Vaquera was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Neither Vaquera nor his brother wore life jackets at the time. Alcohol appears to be a factor in the incident.
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
