Boy, 14, drowns while swimming in Allegan County lake

Sat, Jul 4, 2009

MARTIN TOWNSHIP (AP) — A 14-year-old boy drowned Friday while swimming in an Allegan County lake.

The Allegan County Sheriff's Department said Montrel Alonzo Jeffries of Shelbyville was swimming in the lake in Martin Township when he went under about 30 yards from shore. He was swimming with other boys at the time.

Divers found the boy. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The death was under investigation Saturday, but authorities said it appeared to be an accidental drowning.

The lake is located about 35 miles south of Grand Rapids.