Lake Huron Tragedy: Older Casco Man Drowns in Fast-Moving Waters Near Pinnebog River

Huron County Sheriff confirms Port Crescent State Park incident marks latest in a string of dangerous lake conditions tied to storms and strong winds.

Lake Huron claims another life amid severe water conditions

HUME TOWNSHIP — Issued by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office at 4:16 p.m. on June 21, 2025. A 35-year-old Casco Township man, Bruce Flannigan Jr., drowned near the mouth of the Pinnebog River Saturday afternoon after being swept into deep, fast-moving water while walking in shallow surf with his girlfriend.

The area, located at the Port Crescent State Park Day Use Area, had seen heavy rainfall earlier in the day. Water from the Pinnebog was draining rapidly into Lake Huron, creating strong, rip-tide-like currents and causing visible erosion drop-offs along the lakebed.

Victim swept away as couple stepped into hidden drop-off

According to a statement from Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson, the couple was walking in what appeared to be 3 to 4 feet of water when both stepped into an unseen drop-off likely caused by the swift current’s erosion. Flannigan’s girlfriend managed to escape the current, but he was pulled under and did not resurface.

Sheriff deputies, firefighters, and divers launched an immediate search and recovery effort. The response was delayed by ongoing rescue operations in Port Austin and Turnip Rock, where two separate groups of distressed kayakers were already being rescued due to 30–35 mph southerly winds blowing them offshore.

Divers recover body after nearly three-hour search

Once additional personnel arrived, including divers from the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office, a full-scale search resumed with boats, sonar equipment, and coordinated dive teams. After two hours and 40 minutes, divers located Flannigan’s body in roughly 10 feet of water.

He was transported by fireboat to shore and handed off to Huron Central Ambulance, where McLaren Thumb Region Hospital staff attempted resuscitation. Despite the efforts of EMS and hospital staff, he was pronounced dead approximately three hours after the initial emergency call.

Multiple lake emergencies strain first responder resources

The drowning was only one of several serious water incidents on June 21. Emergency crews were already stretched thin handling four kayakers near the Port Austin Reef Light and Turnip Rock, who had been blown into open water. After the drowning recovery, Port Austin firefighters were dispatched again in response to 911 calls about a disabled personal watercraft in Port Austin Township. That case resolved itself before firefighters arrived.

Later that night, at 11:00 p.m., a disabled boat was reported a mile off Geiger Road Public Access in Fairhaven Township. Deputies and Caseville firefighters responded and used Airboat #152 to retrieve the stranded vessel, closing out the day around 12:30 a.m.

Emergency agencies coordinated through Southeast Michigan Dive Group

Sheriff Hanson credited the collaboration between regional dive and rescue teams, including those from Oakland, St. Clair, Genesee, and Sanilac counties. All are members of the Southeast Michigan Dive Group, which provides mutual aid for underwater recovery and marine incidents across Lake Huron and the Thumb.

State park employees at Port Crescent State Park also played a critical role by assisting with beach logistics, including using a tractor to help launch fireboats from the shore.

A deadly reminder of Michigan’s unpredictable water conditions

This incident highlights the deadly consequences of Michigan’s rapidly changing lake conditions. Sudden weather shifts, hidden currents at river mouths, and eroded drop-offs pose increasing threats to swimmers and boaters alike. Authorities urge visitors to heed water safety guidelines, especially after storms.

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