ST. JOSEPH, Mich. (WNDU) - Emily MacDonald and Kory Ernster were just 19 and 22 and on a family vacation when their lives were cut short at South Haven’s South Beach on Aug. 8, 2022.
Since then, their families have worked tirelessly for education and legislation related to water safety.
As a part of these efforts, the MacDonalds and the Ernsters donated two E.M.I.L.Y. rescue drones on Monday afternoon to lifeguard crews at St. Joseph and New Buffalo beaches.
“It’s just a coincidence that it’s named E.M.I.L.Y., and Emily was the beautiful girl that fell victim to drowning on that day, but it just works out to be a perfect tribute,” said Stephen Ernster, father of Kory.
