Woman falls off pier while texting

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (WOOD) - A 45-year-old woman was rescued from Lake Michigan after she fell in while texting on her phone and walking on a pier, police said.

Bonnie Miller of Benton Harbor told 24 Hour News 8 she was with her husband and 15-year-old son when she lost her balance on the South Pier in St. Joseph. She was fully clothed and had trouble treading water due to the heavy current.

A passerby -- Rebecca Van Zant of Mishawaka, Ind. -- jumped into the water and was able to keep Miller afloat until rescue personnel arrived. A male clung onto a ladder on the side of pier to try and assist the women, police said.

St. Joseph police officers arrived on scene around 9:30 p.m. Monday and saw the people in the water.

Officer Chris Sysko threw a flotation device on a rope to the women. He was able to pull Miller back to the pier with the help of Van Zant and the rope.

Officers then pulled both women out of the water.

The St. Joseph Fire Department, Michigan State Police and United States Coast Guard assisted with the rescue effort.