Jazman Hock, her cousin Sarah Vida and Vida’s 9-year-old son, Kayden Kovalcik, were rescued alive after spending three days stranded in a Michigan forest. The family became lost during a tubing trip on the Muskegon River after pool rafts broke apart. Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and a Michigan State Police K-9 team located them on Aug. 8. The rescue video shows officials wading through dense vegetation and calling out to the group before reaching them.
| 1) | Family disappears during a river tubing trip |
| 2) | Rescue teams find the group in dense forest |
| 3) | Survivors describe three days without adequate food |
| 4) | Video captures the emotional recovery |
| 5) | Multiple agencies coordinate the search |
Family disappears during a river tubing trip
Jazman Hock, Sarah Vida and Kayden Kovalcik were tubing on the Muskegon River in Michigan when the rafts they were using broke apart. The inflatables were intended for pool use rather than a river excursion, according to an account provided by Hock’s mother. The group spent about four hours on the river before becoming lost.
The three ultimately reached nearby woodland but could not find their way back to the launch area. Their disappearance prompted a search involving law enforcement, fire departments, emergency responders, search and rescue personnel and volunteers. The family remained missing for three days before being located.
Rescue teams find the group in dense forest
On Aug. 8 at approximately 4:36 p.m., a Michigan State Police K-9 team and Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers found the group about three-quarters of a mile northeast of the Mill Iron Road Boat Launch. The location was in thick forest grass near the river, making access and communication difficult.
Video from the operation shows rescuers moving through the vegetation while calling for the family to make noise. As officials approached, one rescuer repeatedly urged the group to yell so their position could be confirmed. The footage documents the final stage of the search and the moment the rescuers reached the stranded people.
Survivors describe three days without adequate food
The family had packed protein bars and water, but the available food was given to Kayden Kovalcik, the youngest member of the group. Hock said the two women survived by eating flowers, bark and ants while they waited for help. The account illustrates the difficult conditions the adults faced after the trip went wrong.
When rescuers reached them, Kovalcik was shirtless and one of the women was wearing a bathing suit and appeared to have cuts. In the video, the boy explained what had happened, saying,
“We got lost on the river.”
He added that they had been on the river for four hours.
Video captures the emotional recovery
The rescue footage records the officials’ immediate concern for the family’s condition. One rescuer hugged one of the women and repeatedly told her, “good job,” while another advised her to sit down because her injuries could make walking difficult.
The woman replied that she was forcing herself to keep moving. Rescuers could also be heard reacting with shock as they assessed the group. Despite the visible injuries and exhaustion, all three people were located alive and safe.
Multiple agencies coordinate the search
Michigan State Police said the successful operation depended on a Unified Command that allowed participating agencies to share resources and work toward the same objective. The effort brought together the state police K-9 unit, DNR conservation officers and other public safety organizations.
Authorities expressed relief after the family was found and thanked the responders and volunteers who devoted time to the search. The location provided by the K-9 team and conservation officers gave rescuers a precise area to investigate, leading to the discovery of Hock, Vida and Kovalcik.
| 1 | Two women and a 9-year-old boy were stranded for three days after their pool rafts broke apart on the Muskegon River. |
|---|---|
| 2 | A Michigan State Police K-9 team and DNR officers found the family on Aug. 8. |
| 3 | The adults reportedly survived on flowers, bark and ants after giving their packaged food to the child. |
| 4 | Rescue video shows officials reaching the group in dense forest and assessing their condition. |
Summary
The rescue of Jazman Hock, Sarah Vida and Kayden Kovalcik ended a three-day search near Michigan’s Muskegon River. Their experience began when pool rafts broke apart during a tubing trip and continued after they became lost in nearby woods. A coordinated response involving police, conservation officers and other emergency personnel brought the family to safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was rescued?
Jazman Hock, her cousin Sarah Vida and Vida’s 9-year-old son, Kayden Kovalcik, were found alive.
Where were they found?
They were found in a forest approximately three-quarters of a mile northeast of the Mill Iron Road Boat Launch near the Muskegon River.
How long were they stranded?
The family was stranded for three days after their pool rafts broke apart during the tubing trip.
