KALKASKA COUNTY, Mich. – Two people are dead after falling through the ice on a Northern Michigan lake over the weekend.
Johnathan Brake, 22, and a 13-year-old boy died after they fell through the ice on Island Lake in Kalkaska Township on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, according to UpNorthLive. Kalkaska Township is about 20 miles southeast of Traverse City.
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Deputies were called just before 11 p.m. after Brake’s girlfriend heard a 14-year-old boy, who was out on the lake with the other two, calling out for help.
The 14-year-old had managed to crawl out from the broken ice. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was released.
Brake was pulled from the water at about 11:40 p.m., according to UpNorthLive. Life-saving measures were administered, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Authorities continued searching for the 13-year-old boy. He was found dead the following morning by the Northern Michigan Mutual Aid Dive Team in about 7 to 8 feet of water.
“This incident is a reminder that ice conditions across our area are still unpredictable,” the Whitewater Township Fire Department said in a post. “No ice is safe ice, especially near inlets, outlets, or moving water. Please stay off the ice and keep children and pets away from shorelines.”
This fire department was among several agencies that responded to assist, and the Kalkaska Township Fire Department took a moment to expressed its gratitude for the collective effort.
“I want to thank everyone that responded to the call last night at Island Lake,” the Kalkaska Township Fire Department said. “We appreciate you all. No one else can do what you do. Station 7, Station 5, Station 4, Station 9, Whitewater(Williamsburg)Twp, South Torch Fire(Alden), Kalkaska Sheriff’s office, MSP, MSP Trooper3(helicopter) Kalkaska EMS, Grand Traverse County sheriff’s dept. Dive team and our amazing dispatchers at Kalkaska Central Dispatch. Thank you again!”