Photo from Google Maps

MICHIGAN CITY — A 24-year-old man, reported as Earl Helmuth, 24, Nappanee, drowned after being one of six people swept from a Michigan City break wall by a wave Saturday evening, Sept. 19.

According to a U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes release, just before 6:30 p.m. CDT, a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Michigan City aboard a 25-foot response boat spotted two people in the water near the Michigan City break wall while on a patrol. The crew rescued both people and found they were part of a group of six that had been swept from the break wall.

Three other members of the group were rescued by local responders, while one remained missing.

An air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich., was launched to assist in the search. The response boat crew returned to base due to on-scene weather and was replaced by another crew aboard a larger 45-foot response boat, while local law enforcement searched the shoreline.

Crews continued to search during the night. Early Sunday morning, crews from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources arrived to conduct diving operations. Shortly after DNR dive crews began searching, around 8:30 a.m. CDT, they recovered a body, confirming it to be Helmuth.

Helmuth was found in 13 feet of water, approximately 20 feet from the west side of the lighthouse.

“Our condolences go out to the family of the victim for their tragic loss,” said Lt. Cmdr. Carolyn Moberley, Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan. “The Coast Guard would like to take this opportunity to remind people of the dangers associated with recreating on or around the water and to always be aware of changing conditions.”

Reports indicate Helmuth and five others, all from Nappanee and in their early 20s, had been swept away while walking on the block steps on the north side of the Michigan City Lighthouse. The group consisted of three couples — three men and three women.

Waves ranged between six to 10 feet that night.