Aquatics Underwater Recovery And Rescue Inc.

Man Recovered From Lake Michigan Monday

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after the body of a missing angler was recovered yesterday afternoon from Lake Michigan, according to Conservation Officers.

Shortly after 11:30 AM, Porter County Central Communications received a 911 call reporting that a man identified as Michael Barnes, 67, of Valparaiso, had gone under the surface of the water approximately 60 yards from shore near Burns Ditch after attempting to retrieve his boat, which had drifted from a beach area as he fished from shore.

Multiple private fishing vessels began searching the area, joined by an Indiana Dunes National Park Ranger who boarded one of the vessels and relayed information to the United States Coast Guard, Lake County Sheriff’s Department Marine and Aviation Units, and Indiana Conservation Officers.

At 1:40 PM, using an unmanned remotely operated vehicle equipped with sonar and video, conservation officers located Barnes, whom Portage Fire Department divers recovered from the water. Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene.

Other assisting agencies included Portage Police Department, Portage Fire Department, Porter Fire Department, Burns Harbor Fire Department, Ogden Dunes Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Department Marine and Aviation Units, Porter County Dive Team, Hobart Dive Team, Merrillville Dive Team, Porter County Coroner’s Office, and chaplains from the Portage Police Department and Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement.

UTV’s Sink In Cedar Lake After Going On Unsafe Ice

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, the Cedar Lake Police responded to an off-road vehicle that had broken through the ice on the north end near Potawatomi Park and Meyer Manor, according to Cedar Lake Police. It should be noted this had nothing to do with the ice races on the other side of the lake as reported by other outlets.

Upon arrival of officers, the operator and his son were safe on shore; however, they found themselves in deep water, and the Polaris UTV was sunken to the roof.

The incident attracted other off-road vehicles and before police could get them away another two-wheel off-road vehicle broke through the ice and sank. That operator got onto another UTV and fled the scene. Anyone with information about the operator of the white two-wheel drive off- road vehicle is asked to contact Cedar Lake Police.

Both off-road vehicles remain sunk and frozen in the lake, with a recovery planned for
today. This area of the lake from shore to shore is not safe or frozen, with open water. Water runs naturally under the ice from inlet to inlet, causing shelf-ice and open water.

This incident points out the dangers of being on ice, especially with heavy vehicles.

The ice races today attracted a large number of spectators who brought their off-road vehicles on the opposite side of the lake. The designated area for that ice race was safe and regulated by those officials. They had no control over what others do outside of that event.

“As a reminder, those who bring off-road vehicles must have them registered to be on property other than their own. Off-road vehicles are illegal to operate on any roadway; this event does not exclude you from those laws or ordinances. This incident has been turned over to DNR who were also on scene.”

Update To Last Nights Accident In Dyer

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at approximately 5:47 PM, the Dyer Police and
Fire Departments were dispatched to the 800 Block of Flagstone Drive for a report of a
vehicle in the water.

Upon arrival officers located a vehicle in the water directly north of the parking area of 867 Flagstone Drive. A search of the area had negative results locating the driver. The MABAS 207 Dive Team and Lake County Sherrif’s Aviation Team were requested to assist with the search.

The search of the waterway and surrounding area had a negative result in locating the driver. Dyer Investigators worked through the night in an attempt to locate the driver, with negative results.

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, at approximately 8:45 am, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) arrived on the scene to assist in the search for the driver. With use of their sonar, they were able to locate the driver in the waterway.

Upon locating the driver, the MABAS 207 Dive Team was dispatched to the scene, to recover
the driver. The Lake County Coroner’s Office arrived on scene to conduct their investigation.

The Lake County Coroner has identified the deceased as Blessed S. Asukwo, 46, of Lansing. Asukwo was born in Nigeria. The death was ruled accidental.

If anyone has any information about this incident, please contact the Dyer Police Department (219) 865-1163.