A tragic boating accident on Lake Michigan claimed the lives of a father and son over the weekend. The victims have been identified as David Meneou, 65, from Joliet, Illinois, and his son, Jameson Meneou, 20, from Lockport, Illinois. The incident occurred near Dune Acres, Indiana, and was reported by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

The family outing turned into a tragedy when the father-son duo went out for a boat ride, an activity they both cherished. According to Candace Keller Meneou, David’s wife and Jameson’s mother, boating was a favorite pastime for the pair. Jameson, who had autism and was unable to drive a car, found joy in steering a boat. On this fateful day, they were playing catch when the ball went too far into deep water. Jameson struggled to retrieve it.

David Meneou attempted to save his son but also found himself in distress in the deep waters. A good Samaritan managed to pull both men from the water before officials arrived. Conservation officers and National Park rangers used off-road vehicles to reach the remote location and transported the men by boat to the Port of Indiana while administering CPR.

Despite these efforts, both David and Jameson were pronounced dead at a local hospital. The IDNR is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of safety measures during recreational activities on large bodies of water.