By Brian C. Louwers
C & G Staff Writer

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — Police in west Michigan’s Oceana County recovered the body of a 41-year-old Warren man on Aug. 23, three days after he jumped from a boat into the water to assist his two sons.

According to Lt. Tim Priese, of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, a boater found Kit Kurt Knibbe’s body floating in the middle of Silver Lake, in Golden Township, near Lake Michigan, at 10:42 a.m. on Aug. 23.

Priese said Knibbe entered the water at 4:16 p.m. on Aug. 20 after his sons, ages 3 and 10, fell from an inner tube that was being towed by a boat, operated by Knibbe and his 18-year-old stepson.

“The kids fell off the tube. They were wearing life jackets, but they were yelling, causing some commotion,” Priese said. “Mr. Knibbe jumped from the boat to assist the two kids without wearing a life jacket. He ultimately ended up going under the water and did not survive.”

Priese said Knibbe’s stepson jumped into the water with an extra life jacket but that his attempts to locate Knibbe were unsuccessful.

The boys were in the water for 15 or 20 minutes before a passing boater took them to shore and reunited them with their mother.

Oceana County authorities launched a search for Knibbe with the help of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, the Michigan State Police Dive Team, the Hart Fire Department, and the Norton Shores Fire Department. The search continued into Aug. 23 with assistance from the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Dive Team.

During the search, Michigan State Police and Norton Shores rescuers canvassed the lake with special “side sonar” underwater equipment. Muskegon County rescuers employed a cable operated underwater camera to search the lake’s heavily weeded areas.

Priese said an autopsy was conducted and that no foul play was suspected.

“He’s not a swimmer, and therefore when he jumped in to help the kids he had difficulties and succumbed to the water,” Priese said. “It appears to be an accidental drowning.”

You can reach Brian C. Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1089.