Elderly Man Dies After Falling Into Water At Detroit Yacht Club Docks

DETROIT (WWJ) -  An 80-year-old man who was rushed to the hospital after falling off a boat in the Detroit River has died.

Michigan State Police say Columbus Johnston, of Detroit, was adjusting a rope to secure his boat to a dock when he fell into the water. The incident happened around 8:15 p.m. at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle.

Johnston's wife told police that she threw her husband a rescue ring when she realized he went overboard, but he was unable to grab ahold of it.

The Detroit Police Department dive team responded to the scene and after about 40 minutes, found Johnston floating in about 5-feet of water near the Yacht Club docks.

Rescue crews pulled Johnston from the water and he was rushed to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed Wednesday as an investigation continues.