COLDWATER – A man lost his life while kayaking in a Branch County water way Thursday.

Coldwater Director of Public Safety Joe Scheid says the Coldwater Police Department and Coldwater Medical First Responders were sent to the Pine Knob Channel between South and Cemetery Lakes at 6:23 PM Thursday for a drowning.

Witnesses stated a man overturned his kayak, entering the water and never resurfacing.

Rescue efforts were attempted by witnesses and Police officers, but conditions proved to be difficult.

Scheid says assistance was requested by the Branch County Sheriff's Department Dive Team and Marine Patrol, along with a helicopter from the Michigan State Police.

After approximately three hours of search and rescue efforts, a man's body was pulled from 20 feet of water. The man has been identified as 26 year old Alec Walter Beaumont of Sherwood.

Also assisting in the rescue efforts were the Coldwater and Quincy Fire Departments, the Branch County Sheriff's Department and Life Care Ambulance.