Victim was testdriving new pontoon boat. Witness  was standing on dock watching. Witness used to work for the company who sold the pontoon boat to victim. He was also friend of Victim.  Witness stated that victim had made two laps around the lake and ws experiencing some motor troubles.  Because of that, victim started coming back towards the dock when the motor caught fire. Witness stated that the rest of the boat went up quickly. He immediately called 911.  After approximately 15 minutes the victim, having no options left, jumped overboard.  .  Victim had put on a PFD while still on the pontoon, but had taken it off in order to put on a warm coat.  While victim was in water, heavy clothing weighed him down, and PFD could not be properly worn.  Victim went under and later came up face down. Sellers of the boat immediately sent out a second boat for assistance and pulled victim out of water, and victim started breathing again after coughing up water.  Victim was taken by emergency personnel to Hillsdale Community Health Center.  Boat was a total loss, but was pulled back to shore. There was no information as to what the injury was of victim.  But he had inhaled water, and been 45-degree water for a while.
Allen Township                