Lifeguard off the hook in drowning at school

HASTINGS (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court says a lifeguard who was on duty when a 19-year-old student drowned at a state-run school can’t be sued over the death.

In a recent 6-1 decision, the court said William Harman wasn’t the proximate cause of William Beals’ death and has immunity.

It’s not known why Beals, a good swimmer, drowned in 2009 at the pool at the Michigan Career and Technical Institute in Barry County. His body was in the deep end for several minutes.

Justice Brian Zahra says many students in the water apparently didn’t notice any distress. Some said the lifeguard was distracted and talking to girls.

In a dissent, Justice Richard Bernstein said Harman wasn’t in his designated position to notice Beals and try to immediately save him.