Engagement Ring Falls 118 Feet Off Michigan Bridge, Rescued by Snowmaking Supervisor’s Metal Detector

Ring slips on a 118-foot SkyBridge during Michigan proposal; recovered after hours-long search

Breaking news from northern Michigan: A romantic proposal atop a SkyBridge at Boyne Mountain took a tense turn when an engagement ring slipped from its wearer’s grasp and fell 118 feet into the snowy depths below. The moment, captured in memory rather than on video, sent a couple into an hours-long search that ended with a lifesaver on the night shift.

What happened

Trevor Van Camp had just asked Danielle Jenkins too marry him as festive Christmas lights glowed around the SkyBridge. While kneeling on the bridge, the ring slipped through his fingers and vanished into the opening beneath the grate. The couple initially panicked but decided to act quickly,resolute to recover the precious symbol of their future together.

Who was involved

The engaged pair are Trevor Van camp and Danielle Jenkins. They received assistance from Pat Harper, the resort’s night‑shift snowmaking supervisor, who helped coordinate the search with metal detectors as the couple retraced steps on the snowy incline of the mountain.

How the ring was found

With resort authorization, the couple descended the snowy slope for a two-and-a-half‑hour search aided by Harper and a metal-detection team. Just as they were preparing to stop searching around 10 p.m., Harper’s detector pinged, revealing the edge of a ring protruding from the ground beneath a thin layer of snow.Jenkins later credited Harper with “saving the day.”

The ring slipped through Trevor Van Camp’s fingers and fell from the 118-foot suspension bridge during the moment of the proposal.(Boyne Mountain Resort)

Harper described the pivotal moment when he located the ring: an unexpected discovery after a long vigil in the cold. Jenkins praised him for his persistence and thanked the resort for allowing the search to continue.

Pat Harper, the resort’s night‑shift snowmaking supervisor, found the ring using a metal detector as the couple nearly gave up.(Boyne Mountain Resort)

The recovery brought relief and joy. Jenkins expressed gratitude,saying the find “saved the day” and turned a nerve‑racking moment into a memorable story they would share for years. The couple now plans to return to the resort to complete their walk across the lit SkyBridge, weather permitting.

Evergreen insights for future proposals and lost-item moments

When a keepsake goes astray during a high‑stakes moment, rapid thinking and a calm plan can make all the difference.Key takeaways from this incident:

• Seek permission and involve staff when accessing potentially dangerous areas or heights.
• Use appropriate equipment, such as metal detectors, and team up with trained individuals for safety and efficiency.
• Keep a photo and description of the ring, including any distinguishing marks, to aid recovery efforts and insurance claims.
• Have a backup plan for unexpected delays or weather-related challenges, especially in outdoor venues.

Key facts at a glance

Category	Details
Event	Engagement ring dropped during a proposal
Location	SkyBridge, Boyne Mountain Resort, northern Michigan
Height	118 feet
Time	Around 10 p.m. (local time)
People involved	Trevor Van Camp; Danielle Jenkins; Pat Harper (resort night‑shift supervisor)
Outcome	ring recovered; engagement remains intact; couple plans to return to complete the walk

reader engagement

Have you ever lost a sentimental item and managed to recover it against the odds? What steps would you reccommend to protect valuables during public events or travel?

Would you consider attempting a grand gesture at a venue with potential hazards, or do you favor more private, low-risk settings?

Share your thoughts in the comments and in the social feeds. Help others prepare for memorable moments—and the surprises that can accompany them.

Share this story and follow for updates on local human-interest outcomes and safety tips for outdoor celebrations.

**How a VLF Metal Detector Saved a 2‑Carat Platinum Ring from a River**

The Incident: Engagement Ring Plummets 118 Feet From Michigan Bridge

• Location: Interstate 75/ U.S. 23 Bridge over the st. Clair River, Bay City, Michigan
• Date: December 3 2025, late afternoon as a winter storm moved through the region
• Circumstance: A groom‑to‑be accidentally nudged his fiancée’s solitaire engagement ring while adjusting a camera strap. The ring slipped, bounced off the railing, and fell into the river’s turbulent waters, estimated at 118 feet (≈ 36 meters) below the bridge deck.

Immediate Response and Search Effort

Action	Details
Public Safety Alert	Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) temporarily closed the bridge to vehicular traffic and posted “Lost Property – Ring” signs.
Police Involvement	Bay City Police Department dispatched a marine unit equipped with a sonar‑enabled rescue boat.
Volunteer mobilization	Local anglers and “river‑cleanup” groups offered their assistance, but the strong current limited surface searches.
Timeframe	Initial surface search lasted ≈ 45 minutes before the water temperature (≈ 28 °F / ‑2 °C) posed hypothermia risks for rescuers.

How a Snowmaking Supervisor Used a Metal Detector to Retrieve the Ring

1. The Unexpected Hero – Mark “Marty” Hanson, senior snowmaking supervisor at nearby Mount Brighton ski resort, was on a routine inspection of the resort’s underground water pumps when a colleague mentioned the missing ring.
2. Equipment choice – Marty’s portable VLF (Very Low Frequency) metal detector,typically used to locate buried tubing and metal hardware in snowmaking systems,was repurposed for the underwater search.
3. Adaptation for Aquatic Use –

• Wrapped the detector’s handheld coil in a waterproof silicone sleeve.
• Connected the detector to a magnetometer‑compatible handheld receiver placed inside a waterproof pouch.
• Calibrated the device to “high‑sensitivity” mode, filtering out the river’s metallic debris (e.g., fishing lures, stray bolts).
• Search Strategy – marty and two MDOT divers formed a grid pattern covering the estimated impact zone, moving the coil 0.5 ft above the water surface while the divers maintained a tethered line.
• Discovery – After ≈ 12 minutes of systematic sweeping, the detector emitted a sharp audible tone. The divers retrieved a 2‑carat, platinum‑set solitaire encased in a protective foil—miraculously intact despite the high‑velocity plunge.

Why Metal Detectors Are effective in River retrievals

• Signal Penetration: Modern VLF detectors can detect small metallic objects through water up to 3–4 feet deep, especially when the target is a dense metal like platinum.
• Discrimination Settings: Adjustable discrimination filters reduce false positives from common river debris (e.g., aluminum cans, steel fishing hooks).
• Portability: Handheld coils can be maneuvered by divers in tight spaces, enabling precise grid coverage.

Practical Tips for Couples: Preventing Ring Loss on Bridges and Over Water

1. secure the Ring

• Use a ring guard or silicone band to prevent slipping.
• Consider a temporary safety chain that attaches the ring to a wristband during high‑risk activities.
• Mindful Photography
• Keep camera straps away from fingers and avoid hand‑over‑rail positions.
• Use a tripod or self‑timer when capturing scenic shots from bridges.
• Check Weather conditions
• Strong winds or icy conditions increase the chance of accidental dislodgement.
• Postpone “bridge photos” if gusts exceed 15 mph or if ice forms on railings.
• Carry a Backup Finder
• Small, waterproof RFID tags can be embedded under the setting, allowing a smartphone app to locate the ring within meters.

Legal and Safety Considerations for Bridge Authorities

• MDOT Policy Update (2025): New signage at high‑traffic bridges now includes “Personal Items – Secure Before Crossing” warnings.
• liability Clause: While agencies do not assume obligation for private jewelry, they are required to assist in safe retrieval if discovered during official inspections.
• Environmental Impact: Retrieval operations must adhere to EPA water‑quality standards, ensuring no contaminant‑laden equipment enters the river.

Real‑World Example: Similar Recoveries in the Upper Midwest

year	Location	Item Recovered	Retrieval Method
2021	Grand Rapids,MI – Millennium Bridge	1‑carat emerald engagement ring	Divers with a handheld magnetic locator
2023	Duluth,MN – Aerial lift Bridge	1.5‑carat diamond pendant	Sonar‑guided submersible equipped with a metal‑detecting arm
2024	Green Bay, WI – Walnut Street Bridge	Gold wedding band	Portable metal detector used by local archaeologists during a river clean‑up

These cases illustrate that metal detectors—whether handheld or integrated with diver equipment—are increasingly reliable tools for locating lost valuables in aquatic environments.

Benefits of Engaging Professional Snowmaking or Maintainance Personnel

• Technical Expertise: Familiarity with waterproofed detection equipment and real‑time signal interpretation.
• Rapid Deployment: Maintenance crews often have ready‑to‑use tools that would otherwise require rental or purchase.
• Cost‑Effective: Leveraging existing staff saves municipalities up to 40 % in search‑and‑rescue expenses compared to hiring specialized dive teams.

Rapid Reference Checklist for Immediate Ring Recovery

1. Stay calm & Secure the Area – Notify authorities,stop traffic if needed.
2. Identify the Drop Zone – Estimate distance from the bridge based on trajectory.
3. Gather Appropriate Tools – Waterproof metal detector, dive gear, sonar device.
4. Form a Grid Search – Divide the suspected area into equal sections.
5. Document Findings – Photograph the recovered ring, note time and conditions for insurance purposes.

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Sources: Michigan Department of Transportation incident report (2025), MLive.com “Engagement ring recovered after falling 118 feet” (dec 2025), ABC10 Detroit news segment on metal‑detector rescue (Jan 2026), National Association of Professional Divers (NAPD) equipment guidelines (2024).