West Bloomfield

Swimmer drowns in Pleasant Lake

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

An outdoor gathering at Pleasant Lake turned tragic July 8 when a Westland man drowned while swimming.

The incident is West Bloomfield’s first aquatic-related death this summer, according to West Bloomfield Police Lt. Tim Diamond.

Diamond said the tragedy occurred around 7:30 pm on Pleasant Lake — located by Walnut Lake and Halsted roads — near a home in the 6000 block of Leytonstone.

The victim, identified as Perry Moore, 24, was reportedly at a family gathering and barbecue when he tried to swim from the shore to a boat containing family members about 100 feet away.

“He starts out from their little beach area, and he’s going to swim out to the pontoon boat,” Diamond explained. “He gets about 30 feet from shore and begins to struggle for unknown reasons and goes beneath the surface.”

When family members saw Moore go under, a couple of them jumped off the boat, and others also tried to come to the victim’s rescue, Diamond said. However, no one could find him, and neither could police and fire personnel when they arrived.

According to police, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team also responded, and its divers located Moore around an hour and 15 minutes after he initially went missing. Moore was taken to West Bloomfield Henry Ford Hospital and was pronounced dead, Diamond said.

Police said the dive team found Moore under an estimated 13 feet of water around 30 feet from shore. Diamond said the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office scheduled a July 9 autopsy, though he added that police do not suspect alcohol to be a factor.

“One of the family members that was interviewed said no, there was no alcohol involved, and (the victim) was in relatively good shape,” Diamond said.

Although Diamond dismissed alcohol as a factor in this incident, he warned other swimmers and water enthusiasts to refrain from overindulging. He also warned them to be careful in other ways — for instance, swimmers should join up with friends and never swim alone.

“Probably, the main thing is, don’t overestimate your capabilities as far as being a swimmer, and be aware of the depth of the water,” he said.

Anyone with more information on the incident may call the West Bloomfield Police Department at (248) 975-9200.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1058.