PORT DOVER, Ont. — Ontario Provincial Police say the search for a nine-year-old boy who fell through the ice on Lake Erie is now a recovery operation.
Haldimand County OPP say they were called to the area of Peacock Point on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. following reports of two children who had fallen into the lake.
The police say two boys - an eight-year-old and nine-year-old - were on the ice edge when a wave swept them into the water.
#HaldimandOPP report missing individual fallen into Lake Erie off Peacock Point #Nanticoke is a 9-year-old male. Recovery efforts to continue in the morning. Updates will be provided. ^rl
— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) February 16, 2020
A 10-year-old girl with the boys ran to get help.
She flagged down a vehicle and a man and a woman were able to rescue the eight-year-old boy, but police say the other boy did not resurface.
#HaldimandOPP, OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit as well as OPP helicopter resuming recovery efforts this morning at Peacock Point in #Nanticoke. Ice build up in area causing delay in underwater efforts. Updates will be provided. ^rl pic.twitter.com/tMLPPkoUHN
— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) February 16, 2020
The OPP say they've received assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, but dangerous conditions led them to stop the search efforts late Saturday, and at that point the search became a recovery mission.
Provincial police say they returned to the scene early Sunday but conditions were too dangerous to enter the water. The OPP is using a helicopter to search the area.
#HaldimandOPP reporting search and recovery efforts suspended for the day and will resume Monday morning Feb 17th. Updates will continue to be provided as information becomes available.^rl pic.twitter.com/FA9zTXdmr0
— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) February 16, 2020
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2020.
