Police Will Resume Search Of Man Presumed Drowned After Diving Into Lake At Stony Creek Metropark

SHELBY TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - A Macomb County Sheriff's dive team continued its search Monday for a 21 year-old Pontiac man who jumped into a lake at Stony Creek Metropark over the weekend and disappeared.

After nothing was found Monday, police said the search will resume on Tuesday morning.

Authorities say the young man, who has been identified as Malcom Fairley, rented a couple of paddleboats with friends on Sunday.

The group of four was out on a lake just after 6 p.m. when witnesses said Fairley dove from the boat, near the boat rental area. They say he surfaced once, but was not seen again after he went back under.

After his friends tried unsuccessfully to find Fairley, dive teams from three departments searched for three hours in the cloudy water Sunday night to no avail.

While life vests were available with the rentals, the victim was not wearing his at the time, according to Huron-Clinton Metroparks police.

A helicopter was deployed to help in the search when it resumed at 8 a.m. Monday and police said they're also be using sonar.

Metroparks Police Chief George Phifer said swift currents, weeds, and murky water were impeding efforts.

Metroparks Director Jon McCulloch said was should never forget how important it is to use caution and safety when on the water.

"It really puts in perspective how careful we all need to be when we're out on the water," he said. "And, as the chief pointed out, we definitely encourage all our patrons to use the life vests they are provided."

McCulloch said it's unknown why the young man was unable to get out of the water; whether Fairley had trouble swimming, if the water was too cold, or whether or not alcohol may have played a role in the accident.