Rest In Peace Ben

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A 24-year-old man died Sunday after the boat he was riding in flipped over on the Grand River late Sunday morning, according to investigators.

Just before 11 a.m., Grand Rapids emergency crews were called to the river to rescue two people in the water -- in the area of Pearl and Fulton streets. One was hanging on to the side of the overturned boat, and the other was floating downstream.

The 12-foot boat got caught in an undertow, causing it to flip, a Grand Rapids fire chief told 24 Hour News 8.

Other boaters in the area rescued the person hanging on the boat; later identified as Travis Menzel, who was conscious when he was taken to a Grand Rapids hospital. The 22-year-old is listed in fair condition, and is expected to be released later Sunday.

Benjamin Black was not conscious, nor was he breathing when rescuers pulled him from the Grand. He had been hit in the head before floating downstream, witnesses said. Black was given CPR and taken to Saint Mary's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Rescuers spotted the 24-year-old under the Fulton Street Bridge face down, and grabbed him after being lowered by harness.

A nearby fishing boat helped in the the retrieval. Crews were hopeful Black would survive because river temperatures are so low.

"What is does is, it takes all your body temperature and packs it in to your core temperature area, which means your major organs stay warm, and thus, having a better chance at reviving them," Verburg said.

Fisherman Jamison Livingston witnessed the accident, and said this time of year, fishermen are attracted to the river for steelhead -- which can be found in large pools in the middle of the river. Still, many prefer the safer route of fishing from the banks, and rescue crews know that.

"It's generally safe," said Frank Verburg, a battalion chief with the Grand Rapids Fire Department. "You have to watch out for the currents and stay away from the dams. Most people don't know -- out front of the dam, there is an undertow type of thing that will pull you up into it, and that's exactly what happened."

Menzel and Black were experienced fishermen who loved the sport and came out weekly, a friend said. They were fishing with friends near the Sixth Street Bridge when Menzel and Black decided to leave the banks and try their luck on a boat.

"I was there and watched it all happen," said Sedrick Nienhuis in a message. "I just wish there was more I could do to help them, but with water being so deep and fast where they were -- (there) was nothing to do but watch and hope for the best."

Crews spent Sunday afternoon trying to retrieve the submerged boat from the river.

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[guerreradejesus]

it looks good man i like it

[15iloveguitar]

@guerreradejesus thank you

[audracron]

Love it.

[15iloveguitar]

@audracron to be honest idk wether to like or dislike ur comment ='( i wanna like it cuz it's a great tribute to a good.. no, GREAT friend. at the same time, it's terrible what happened and how it did. it's hard to watch yuh know?

[xlaleclx]

Really is a shame to see you go.

I'll see you on the flip-side, Ben

[313skaterboy]

I didn't know Ben, but from what i saw he's a cool ass guy i hope everyone's doing well with him not being here but he's in a better place for sure now... much props to BEN!!!

PS: inspires me to keep skating, i can tell he didn't care what people thought of him just do your own thing.

[bbrookskaters]

i was looking at back crook trick tips and got to this, sorry for your loss

[watchingandthinking]

I'm sorry about the death of that young man, very sad. May Benjamin rest in peace. My condolences to his family.