Boats were back in the water Monday to continue looking for a missing 18-year-old kayaker from Channahon.
Mitchell Fajman disappeared in Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon while out kayaking with two others near New Buffalo, Mich.
New Buffalo Police Chief Larry Pitchford said Monday they wanted to use divers Monday but bad conditions prevented it.
“The water is picking up bad,” Pitchford said, noting waves were about seven to 10 feet tall. “It’s just Mother Nature’s call.”
The water search was suspended Sunday but ATVs continue to roam the area looking for Fajman.
Fajman is the youngest in his family, Pitchford said, with an older brother and sister. Pitchford said many family members have been in Michigan during the search, including Fajman’s mother and father.
“It’s just very, very tragic,” Pitchford said. “They want to take their son home is the bottom line. The father is definitely standing vigil until he can do that.”
Crews are searching from the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, Ind., to the Indiana State line. The search will continue for several more days until all resources are exhausted, Pitchford said.
Two other kayakers were saved and pulled from the water by the Coast Guard Saturday afternoon, but due to rough waters, could not get to Fajman. The Coast Guard reported all three kayakers were seen wearing life jackets, wetsuits and helmets.
Pitchford said mid-afternoon Sunday the status was changed from a search to recovery.
