(HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ON) – Members of the Northumberland County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called to the area of Halstead Beach Road on the shore of Rice Lake on Friday November 11, 2016 after local residents discovered an unresponsive male in the water. The male was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
A submerged vessel that belonged to the deceased male was located approximately 500 meters from where he was pulled from the water. Investigators concluded the 45-year old male, from Whitby, Ontario, had been fishing with a friend, who is still missing.
Recovery efforts to locate the second victim, a 41-year old male from Oshawa, Ontario, have continued over the last 12 days.
After an exhaustive search that utilized OPP resources which included OPP Aviation Services, the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU), the OPP Central Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC Trenton) and Marine Units from Northumberland County and neighboring detachments, the OPP is suspending the search on Rice Lake for the outstanding victim in this marine incident.
Investigators are urging the public to call police with any further information regarding this missing person case. Please contact Detective Constable Jeff Cassidy at Northumberland OPP Detachment (905) 372-5421 or the Provincial Communication Centre (PCC) (888) 310-1122 with your tips.
The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.
Northumberland County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: www.stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)