1 boater died, another injured, after high-speed boat crash in Oxbow Lake

A White Lake man is dead, with a Taylor man injured, in the aftermath of a boating accident Tuesday afternoon in Oxbow Lake in Southeast Michigan.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office, which is handling the investigation, said the boat was "traveling at an excessively high rate of speed" when the vessel became airborne, struck the water on its side, and sank in about 50 feet of water. The boat operator, who died in the crash, was later identified as Kirk Magnuson, 71, of White Lake.

A 911 call reporting the crash was made about 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, the White Lake Township Police Department said. White Lake Dispatch sent the township police and fire to the end of Lakeside Drive along the lakeshore. 

When the first responders arrived, they learned that the passenger had been thrown into the water and rescued by nearby boaters on a pontoon boat. That person, identified as a 56-year-old Taylor man, received medical attention from the White Lake Township Fire Department and was taken to McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac for treatment. He was reported to be in stable condition on Wednesday morning. 

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said it was "extremely fortunate" that someone happened to see the crash and was able to provide assistance.

Magnuson went underwater and was missing. 

Those assisting on the search and rescue efforts throughout the evening included the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, Oakland County Sheriff's Office Marine Division, Southeast Michigan Dive Group and Shelby Township Fire Department. Rescue boats equipped with sonar were used on the patrol.

Magnuson's body was reported recovered on Wednesday morning in about 50 feet of water. Deputies said the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office, which was also on scene, has performed an autopsy and ruled his death to be from accidental drowning.

In the meantime, the boat was recovered and is impounded as part of the investigation. Investigators determined that neither man was wearing a personal floatation device at the time of the crash.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the person who lost their life," Bouchard said. "I am also grateful for the incredible professionalism and capability of the combined search and rescue team that was able in extremely difficult conditions to locate the decedent and the boat and bring both to the surface."