Two women and a 9-year-old child who went missing while tubing on Michigan’s Muskegon River were found safe Friday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
A Michigan State Police K9 team and state conservation officers located the trio at 4:36 p.m. near the Mill Iron Road Boat Launch, approximately three-quarters of a mile northeast of the launch point. The group had been missing since Tuesday, when they were last seen using orange and pink tubes on the river.
Authorities stated the individuals were in good condition and did not require medical attention. The relationship between the two women, Jazman Hock and Sarah Vida (both 28), and the child, Kayden Kovalcik (9), was not disclosed.
Search Efforts and Discovery
The search began after the father of one of the missing women found her vehicle at the Maple Island Boat Launch with a broken window. The car belonged to Hock, and its discovery prompted authorities to launch a multi-agency search. At the time of the vehicle’s discovery, the group had been missing for over 24 hours, and relatives had been unable to reach them.
Search teams, including state police posts, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and volunteers, combed the river and surrounding areas. Two of their tubes and footprints were located Thursday, aiding the search efforts. Nearly two-dozen agencies participated in the coordinated response.
Official Statements
Michigan State Police issued a statement Friday, calling the outcome the result everyone had hoped for. “This is the outcome everyone involved had hoped for,” the agency said. They also expressed gratitude to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, emergency responders, and volunteers who dedicated countless hours to the search.
No additional details about the circumstances of their disappearance or the conditions of the trio were released, with authorities citing respect for the privacy of those involved.
Background on the Incident
The Muskegon River, a popular recreational area, was the site of the tubing outing. Tubing is a common activity in the region, though authorities did not immediately comment on whether safety protocols or environmental conditions played a role in the incident. The river’s flow and potential hazards were not addressed in the statements provided.