MASON COUNTY — Two men from Grand Haven were found dead early Sunday after their snowmobiles went through the ice on Round Lake in Sheridan Township, according to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a Dec. 15 news release update, emergency crews were notified at 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, two snowmobilers were missing in eastern Mason County. Family members reported the men may have been riding on trails in Lake County and had not been heard from for several hours.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office began searching trails in Lake County overnight. Around 4:30 a.m., the search expanded to eastern Mason County after a searcher located snowmobile tracks entering Round Lake off Sugar Grove Road in Sheridan Township. Investigators did not find tracks leaving the lake.
Because of darkness and heavy snowfall, crews were unable to check the lake from shore at that time. At first light, what appeared to be a snowmobile helmet was spotted several hundred yards offshore on the ice.
When weather conditions allowed, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office launched a drone and a hole in the ice with a helmet present. Rescue crews attempted to reach the area but repeatedly fell through the ice, making immediate rescue efforts impossible.
The Michigan State Police Dive Services Team and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team were requested to assist. An airboat from the Manistee County Sheriff’s Office was also deployed to support recovery operations.
Once safety measures were in place, divers began working toward the hole in the ice. During the operation, an MSP diver fell through the ice but was properly tethered and pulled out unharmed.
Both victims were located during the dive operation. Law enforcement recovered the bodies of Daniel Meyers, 65, and Jason Aemmer, 49, both of Grand Haven. The bodies were found in approximately 6 feet of water. Two snowmobiles were also recovered from beneath the ice.
Agencies assisting at the scene included the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Manistee County Sheriff’s Office, Ludington Police Department, Michigan State Police, MSP Dive Services, United States Coast Guard Manistee, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement and multiple area fire and rescue departments.
Authorities said additional information would be released as it becomes available.