July 28--TRAVERSE CITY-- A towing accident caused approximately $1,000 in damage to a boat owned by the Benzie County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff Rory Heckman said Frankfort Fire Department Chief Charlie Thompson was towing the boat and trailer on Wednesday at about 6 p.m. to a training exercise in Lake Ann when the trailer came loose from the back of the pickup Thompson drove.
It is not known why the trailer detached from the truck.
"(He) realized right away the trailer came off the hitch," Heckman said. "I do not know how it came loose, but it came loose."
The boat and trailer ended up in the woods off M-115. One witness said the accident happened near the site where the Betsie Valley Trail crosses the highway.
There were no injuries reported and it was not immediately clear Friday evening if the trailer crossed into oncoming traffic or went off the side of the road. Heckman said the fire department is attempting to repair the damage on the boat, which is used for water rescues. The Michigan State Police filed a report on the accident.
Copyright 2012 - The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich.
