(BAYFIELD, ON) The search continues for a missing swimmer that slipped beneath the surface of Lake Huron south of Bayfield.
Shortly before 4:00pm on September 2, 2012, a group of passengers were on board a 30 foot pleasure craft on Lake Huron approximately 8 kilometres south of Bayfield. The boat operator and another male passenger jumped into the water for a swim. Neither was wearing a personal flotation device. The waves and wind quickly separated the pair from the boat and they were unable to swim back. Passengers on the boat, although inexperienced were able to manoeuvre the vessel and recover the first male. He was pulled on board but not before he was struck by the pitching vessel and ingested a considerable amount of water. The second male was unable to reach the boat and slipped beneath the surface. The injured male was brought to shore and taken to Clinton hospital for treatment.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene after witnesses on shore saw flares shot from the vessel. A United States Coast Guard helicopter responded quickly to the scene and assisted in the search until RCC Trenton responded to the scene. The RCC Trenton helicopter, two OPP vessels, two Canadian Coast Guard vessels along with several private boat owners searched the area where he was last seen until dark. Officers on ATV’s continue to search along the shoreline. The water search will continue in the morning.