Watch CBS News

Couple's Attempt To Cross Lake Michigan Ends Miles From Shore

LUDINGTON (WWJ/AP) - Currents and exhaustion have kept a Michigan couple from finishing a planned 50-mile swim across Lake Michigan to raise awareness about postpartum depression.

Family spokesman Ryan Reed wrote in an email to The Associated Press that Sara and Jeff Tow were declared medically unable to continue the swim Wednesday.

The team was brought by boat to the Ludington City Marina and were evaluated by EMS. An update on the couple's website said the Tows were taken to Memorial Medical Center in Ludington for further evaluation as a precaution.

The Grand Rapids-area couple got under way Tuesday morning from Two Rivers, Wis. They had planned to swim to the Big Point Sable Lighthouse at West Michigan's Ludington State Park. The hope was to complete the swim in 30 to 36 hours.

Reed said strong currents slowed their progress.

Both were members of Ohio University swim teams and say they suffered from postpartum depression following the births of their children, now 11 and 9.

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.