Search Continues For Missing Swimmer In Port Stanely

(CENTRAL ELGIN, ON) – The Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are currently on scene, at the end of William Street, in Port Stanley, Ontario.

At approximately 3:50 p.m. on July 14, 2016, members of the Elgin County OPP, the Central Elgin Fire Rescue – Port Stanley, and the Elgin St Thomas Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to an incident in which it was reported that two swimmers appeared to be in distress in the water. A red beach warning flag was posted at the time.

With the assistance from life guards and other rescuers, a 19-year-old female made it safely to shore, where she received medical attention from EMS, and was discharged.

An 18-year-old male, from London, Ontario, failed to return to shore. He is described as a white male, approximately six feet tall, and was wearing black shorts at the time he went missing.

Members of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Trenton, the Elgin County and Chatham Kent OPP Marine Units, the United States Coast Guard, and Ornge, also assisted at the scene.

The search has entered a recovery stage. The Elgin County OPP Mobile Command Unit remains on scene.

Assisting with the recovery search are: the OPP helicopter; divers from the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU); two OPP marine vessels; one Fire Services marine vessel; and members from the Central Elgin Fire Rescue – Stations 1 and 2, who are conducting a line search.

As a result, a portion of the Port Stanley main beach, near the pier, remains cordoned off.

Any updates will be released as details become available.

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