UPDATE: MTU student drowns at Canyon Falls Park
UPDATE at 7:00 p.m. Monday:
Kevin Lobo, a 24 year old Michigan Tech student, died at Canyon Falls Roadside Park over the weekend. Witnesses say he was jumping from a nearby cliff into the water on Friday, he struggled to swim against the current, and was swept downstream by the water.
"Unfortunately we were unable to find him that night. The next morning the search was started back up again at 10, my understanding is that around 4:30 they found him. Unfortunately in the water, and nothing, at that point in time, could be done for him," said Gary Wadaga, the director of Bay Ambulance.
Canyon Falls is a popular destination for both locals and tourists to stop at, and brings in a high amount of swimmers and cliff jumpers. With high water levels and faster than average currents, officials are saying to proceed in that area with caution.
"The river itself is so unpredictable. The current, the height of the river, jumping from the cliff, slips and falls when the rocks are wet. There's a number of things that people need to be aware of and consider when they're in that area," added Wadaga
Law enforcement are continuing to investigate this incident.
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UPDATE at 9:00 a.m. Monday:
Michigan Technological University has identified the man who drowned Friday near Canyon Falls as 24-year-old Kevin Lobo, a graduate student studying computer science.
Below is a statement from an MTU spokesperson:
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ORIGINAL STORY at 8:25 p.m. Saturday:
The Michigan State Police responded to a drowning in L’Anse Township Friday night.
Troopers were dispatched to Canyon Falls Park around 8 p.m., after receiving a call that a man had disappeared while swimming. Witnesses reported that the man had jumped into the Sturgeon River several times and began struggling to swim in the strong current. The witnesses entered the water to help the 24-year-old man, but could not get him out of the water.
Police say the man was swept downstream and did not resurface.
Numerous law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and search and rescue teams responded Friday night, but were unable to locate the man prior to nightfall. Due to the dangerous conditions, the search was suspended until Saturday morning.
The body was located in the water and recovered around 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
The investigation continues and the identity of the man is not being released at this time.
The Michigan State Police Dive Team, the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit, and K9 units from the Calumet and Iron Mountain posts responded to the scene. Troopers were assisted by the Baraga County Search and Rescue Unit, L’Anse Fire Department, Covington Fire Department, Bay Ambulance, Baraga Police Department, Baraga County Sheriff's Office, Michigan DNR conservation officers, the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police and the American Red Cross. Sandwiches and beverages were also provided by Subway in L’Anse.