GRAND RAPIDS — A 2-year-old girl was pulled from the swim area at Versluis Lake in Plainfield Township unconscious and not breathing on July 5, before a Kent County sheriff’s deputy and a bystander performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and revived the child, officials said.
Sequence of rescue and response
According to the Plainfield Fire Department and reporting by MLive, the incident occurred around 4:25 p.m. on July 5 at the sandy swim area at Versluis Park, a popular 50-acre man-made lake used by residents throughout the Grand Rapids area. A witness alerted a sheriff’s deputy at the park, who, joined by a nearby bystander, began lifesaving measures.
“She was the bystander who performed CPR and her friend got help,”
Firefighters from the Plainfield Fire Department and paramedics from Life Ambulance arrived shortly afterward and took over medical treatment. Officials said the child was breathing and showing signs of responsiveness by the time first responders reached her, and she was transported to a local hospital for further care.
Community response and safety takeaways
Plainfield officials publicly commended the quick actions of the deputy and bystanders and emphasized the importance of CPR knowledge among community members. Local public-health reporting highlighted that drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 nationally, underscoring why rapid intervention matters.
- Where: Versluis Park (Versluis Lake swim area), Plainfield Township
- When: About 4:25 p.m., July 5
- Who responded: A Kent County sheriff’s deputy, at least one bystander who performed CPR, Plainfield Fire Department, Life Ambulance paramedics
| Time (approx.) | Action |
|---|---|
| ~4:25 p.m. | Toddler pulled from water, found unconscious |
| Minutes later | Kent County deputy and bystander perform CPR |
| Shortly after | Firefighters and Life Ambulance paramedics take over care; patient breathing on arrival |
| Following | Transported to a local hospital |
For families, local public-safety officials and community groups frequently stress several practical steps to reduce drowning risk and improve outcomes when incidents occur:
- Enroll caregivers and older children in hands-on CPR training.
- Maintain constant, close supervision of young children around any body of water.
- Use life jackets appropriate for a child’s size when near open water, and follow posted park rules.
- Know the location of the nearest emergency-call stations and keep cell phones accessible.
Versluis Park serves many families from Grand Rapids and surrounding communities. The swift actions of a witness, a deputy and emergency crews prevented what officials described as a likely fatal outcome. Plainfield Fire Department’s public commendation highlights a broader point for area residents: basic lifesaving skills and quick, coordinated response at popular local recreation spots can make the difference between life and death.
