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NILES — An 8-year-old boy who was rescued from the Dowagiac River Friday afternoon, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies were dispatched to the Dowagiac River near Arthur Dodd Memorial Park in Cass County at 4:24 p.m. Saturday, where they found the boy approximately 20 feet from shore, hanging onto a submerged tree in fast-moving water.

Deputies and fire personnel entered the water and safely rescued the boy.

The sheriff’s department reported the juvenile and his mother were kayaking down the Dowagiac River when high water levels and fast currents overturned the water.

The boy and his mother were wearing proper flotation devices.

The boy was transported by SMCAS Ambulance to Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles for minor injuries sustained.

Assisting agencies include Pokagon Tribal Police, Michigan State Police, Pokagon Fire Department, Sister Lakes Water Rescue Team, Indian Lake Water Rescue Team, SMCAS Ambulance and True’s Towing & Recovery Service.