Father, Son Drown in Lake Michigan near Indiana Dunes

Two separate tragic incidents of father and son drownings occurred in the Midwest over the weekend. In Porter County, Indiana, David Meneou, 65, of Joliet, and his son Jameson Meneou, 20, of Lockport, drowned in Lake Michigan after Jameson struggled in deep water and David attempted to rescue him; both were pulled from the water by a good Samaritan but later died at a local hospital. Conservation officers and National Park Rangers responded to the rescue near Dune Acres, Indiana, and are investigating the incident. Meanwhile, at Maple Bay State Forest Campground on Burt Lake in Michigan, a 54-year-old father and his 16-year-old son from Levering drowned after the son went underwater for approximately seven minutes and the father entered the water to rescue him; despite life-saving efforts on scene and at the hospital, both succumbed to their injuries. The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating that incident and has ruled out drugs and alcohol as factors. Both events highlight the dangers of swimming in deep or remote water areas and the heroic but often perilous attempts of parents to save their children in distress.