Essexville Fire Chief Doing Okay After Medical Episode

Essexville’s Fire Chief is recovering after suffering a medical episode during a vehicle recovery effort on Tuesday.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Department and divers from the Southeast Michigan Dive Group started the process around 8:00 A.M. near the Cass Avenue Boat Launch on the Saginaw River in Bay City after a fisherman reported unusual readings from his fish finder the day before. Police recovered a Lexus and a Ford F-150 pickup truck, both of which police say had been in the water for some time, though an exact time has not been determined. Police say there are no obvious signs of foul play in either vehicle.

During the recovery effort, Marine Division Sgt. and Essexville Fire Chief Donald Middleton suffered a cardiac episode. Other rescue personnel performed CPR and used an AED device. Police say Middleton is in stable condition at McLaren Bay Region Hospital in Bay City.