Bridge worker falls into Hastings river

HASTINGS, Mich. (WOOD) - A construction worker was rescued from the Thornapple River after he fell into the water while painting a new bridge.

The 57-year-old Lansing resident was unconscious but breathing on his own when a medical helicopter took him from the scene at 11:45 a.m. on Aug. 31 to a Grand Rapids hospital.

Miguel Ramirez' condition at the time was life-threatening, police said. On Sept. 5, Hastings police said he was moved from the intensive care unit and his condition was upgraded.

A hospital spokesperson told 24 Hour News 8 on Sept. 6 that Ramirez is in stable condition.

The man was working under the new Michigan Avenue bridge in Hastings when he waded into the river to retrieve some equipment, police said. He stepped into a deep hole in the river bottom, his hip-wader boots filled with water quickly and he fell under the surface.

Rescue crews pulled Ramirez from the water about 100 feet downstream after he became submerged for at least five minutes, according to a police news release.

Emergency life support was performed on Ramirez for about 20 minutes at the scene in Barry County before he was taken to a hospital.