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Body found during search of Niagara River in the Tonawandas

Officials warn people to not swim in the same area due to dangerous currents
Posted at 9:57 AM, Jul 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-24 17:55:48-04

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Search crews have confirmed the body recovered Wednesday morning belonged to the man who went missing after swimming in the Niagara River Tuesday afternoon. The man's name has not been released.

The body was found in the river in North Tonawanda after crews searched for about an hour and a half Wednesday morning.

Police said Tuesday the rescue mission had turned into a recovery.

The unidentified swimmer got into trouble on Tuesday afternoon while swimming with a friend off of Tonawanda Island.

Several law enforcement agencies responded to help find the man in his 20's.

The search was unsuccessful on Tuesday but resumed Wednesday morning after divers analyzed the swift, challenging currents in a part of the Niagara River that is known as the "Little River."

"I would like to urge everyone to not swim in this area because the current is extremely swift and it is not an area to swim in," said North Tonawanda Fire Chief Joe Sikora.

The body was recovered along the bank between the Tonawanda Island Launch Club and Smith Boys Marina.

Officials said they are not releasing the victim's name at this time because they are still working to notify relatives who live outside of the WNY area.