Trooper, victim’s dog rescues 65-year-old man who fell through ice in Arbutus Lake

EAST BAY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Officer Kammeron Bennetts responded to a call of a 65-year-old Traverse City man who had fallen through the ice in Arbutus Lake in East Bay Township.

The incident occurred on Thursday (Jan. 18) at 11:45 a.m., causing bystanders on the shore to call 911 after witnessing the man fall through the ice.

Officials say Bennetts arrived on the scene, grabbed the rescue disc from the back of his patrol vehicle, and went out on the ice, where he saw the man in the frozen water.

Next to the man was his dog, Ruby.

Officials say Bennetts could not reach the man due to the ice conditions, so he asked the man to send Ruby to him.

Bennetts attached the rescue disc to Ruby’s collar and told the man to call his dog.

Ruby ran back to his owner with the rescue disc while Bennetts instructed the man to take the disc from Ruby and kick his legs.

With the help of a firefighter from the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department, Bennetts pulled the man to safety.

The man was transported by ambulance to Munson Medical Center for treatment and was later released.

Officials say the man was in the water for 16 minutes.