By Staff
ST. JOSEPH - On Thursday, June 30, at approximately 4:23 p.m. the Berrien County Sheriff's Department put out a priority call of a possible drowning at Silver Beach in St. Joseph at the north pier.
Upon arrival it was learned that Isaac Williamson, 14, of Benton Harbor had dove off the north pier in approximately five to seven feet of water and did not resurface.
The young man was able to be rescued by the efforts of Brandon Huisman of Iowa and Sean Oleson of Niles along with other individuals on the pier.
Williamson was breathing upon officers arrival. He was transported to Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph by Medic I ambulance service and then was transferred to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo late last night. The St. Joseph City Police Department was assisted by the Berrien County Sheriff's Department Marine Patrol, Silver Beach Park Rangers, and the United States Coast Guard, according to the St. Joseph City Police Department.
Safety officials would like to remind the public that while "pier jumping" or jumping from the South Pier is not prohibited, it is unsafe and today's activity is just one example of what may happen to those attempting it.