LEXINGTON — A quick response by authorities ended in the successful rescue of four Lapeer-area residents from Lake Huron on Thursday.

Sanilac County Central Dispatch received the call Thursday at 6:40 p.m. from a citizen that a small inflatable raft was drifting off shore in Lake Huron. The raft was last seen floating east away from shore about three miles south of Lexington, where it was put in with four people on board.

According to Sgt. Paul Rich, the Sheriff’s Office volunteer Aero Squad was activated to search for the raft, while the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, D.N.R. and the U.S. Coast Guard responded by water.

Aero Squadron Special Deputy Darrell Witham spotted the drifting raft within minutes of take-off from his Croswell area air strip. He circled the raft and directed marine patrol Deputies Chad Adams and Cameron O’Mara, accompanied by D.N.R. Officer Seth Rhodea, to the drifting raft. The rescuers spotted an adult female and teenage male in the water, attempting to pull the raft with two 3-year-old girls on it back toward shore.

The Coast Guard arrived a short time later and assisted rescuers in getting the subjects out of the water and onto the patrol boat. The subjects, 34- year-old Valari Wruble, 14-year-old Tyler Beam and two 3-year-olds, all from the Lapeer area, were transported back to the Lexington Harbor, where they were turned over to Lexington Fire & Rescue and Croswell EMS for treatment.

The subjects were treated and released at the scene. Alcohol was not a factor in the incident, and educationenforcement action was taken regarding personal flotation use.

“As a reminder, always wear personal flotation devices and let people know where and when you will be going in the water in case of an emergency,” said Sheriff Garry Biniecki.