Father dies trying to keep his 8-year-old son afloat
Christopher Malone, 42, drowned at a Shiawassee County campground on Thursday, July 2, while attempting to swim across a lake with his 8-year-old son, according to the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office.
A bystander rescued the boy after hearing shouts for help. Malone was found unconscious in the water and later pronounced dead at Owosso Memorial Hospital.
"Yesterday evening, our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy. My cousin, Tabatha, lost her beloved husband, Chris, in a drowning accident while they were visiting a campground," wrote Amanda Bendall and Angela Bucy, who launched a SupportNow fundraiser for the family.
The fundraiser, which had raised more than $7,800 as of Monday morning, described Malone as a "devoted husband and father who had completely turned his life around over the past few years."
The rescue
First responders were dispatched to Campgrounds-R-Us, 3775 Krause Road in Owosso Township, at about 5:15 p.m. Thursday after reports of two swimmers yelling for help, the sheriff's office said in a release.
Malone and his son had been swimming across a 45-acre private lake at the campground without flotation devices, according to the sheriff's office. The pair attempted to swim from the beach on the east side of the man-made lake to the other side, a distance of about 500 feet, according to The Argus-Press and WILX 10.
"They got about halfway out, were unable to finish the swim, and started yelling for help," Shiawassee County Lt. Keith Hansen told The Argus-Press.
A man camping on the west side of the lake observed them struggling and jumped into the water to attempt a rescue of both swimmers, Hansen said. The bystander was able to save the boy but was unable to rescue Malone.
First responders and volunteers searched for Malone. He was pulled back to shore by a rope, along with a flotilla including a small boat, a kayak, and about eight searchers, at about 6:20 p.m., according to The Argus-Press.
Malone was found about 50 feet from the shore on the west side of the lake. Responders provided lifesaving measures for about 20 minutes before transporting him to the hospital.
Police: No drugs or alcohol involved
The sheriff's office said it did not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the incident. Officers told WILX 10 that the pair did not use any life preservers and that Malone allegedly left the safe swim section of the lake.
The Owosso Police Department, Owosso Ambulance, Owosso Township Fire Department, and the Michigan State Police assisted the sheriff's office at the scene.
A family left behind
The SupportNow fundraiser identified Malone's wife as Tabatha Malone. The page was started by Bendall and Bucy, Tabatha's cousins.
"He was kind, caring, and always willing to help others. His wife and children were the center of his world," the fundraiser page read.
Malone lost his life while trying to keep his son afloat, according to the family's fundraising appeal. The family is seeking donations to help cover funeral expenses and other costs.