Lake Michigan Beachgoers Form Human Chain To Find Teen

The ending isn't what we'd hoped, but all of these strangers coming together is amazing nonetheless.

On Sunday, July 19th, 14-year-old Jovanny Arroyo was swimming in Lake Michigan at Grand Haven State Park when he was swept away by the 6-8 foot waves. The last time he was seen was by the swim buoys; a red flag was flying to indicate that conditions were dangerous to swim in.

The Coast Guard, Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, Grand Haven Township firefighters, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office all came together in the search for the teen, but it was too late - his body was found near the South Pier on Tuesday, July 21st.

When the search first started, the beach was packed with tourists and vacationers. When they saw the Coast Guard and other departments show up to look for the young man, people at the beach stopped what they were doing and formed a human chain in the water to help with the search.

Eventually, due to the dangerous conditions, all swimmers were told to stay on the beach, but the fact that all of these people came together and put themselves in harm's way to help find a young man whom they didn't know is a beautiful sight.

We have more in common than we think and, when it comes down to it, we're all human beings, regardless of what we look like or what we believe in. And, when times are tough, we help each other. Period.