On September 4, 2023, at 1:15pm 6 District (Port Colborne / Wainfleet) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) and emergency service personnel responded to a Port Colborne beach for a report of a possible drowning.
Officers attended the scene at Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores on Empire Road in Port Colborne. The initial investigation determined that a man had gone swimming in Lake Erie when he became distressed in the water. A bystander attempted to assist the man but was not able to do so. The man disappeared below the water and did not resurface.
Emergency services including the NRPS Marine Unit, Port Colborne Fire Service, Niagara Emergency Medical Service (NEMS), and the Port Colborne Marine Auxiliary Rescue (POCOMAR) attended the scene. The Canadian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton dispatched a rescue helicopter that had been in Toronto for an air show. The man was located by the helicopter under the water. He was recovered from the water and found to be in critical condition. He was transported to shore to NEMS paramedics and then to a local hospital. Despite resuscitative efforts the man was pronounced deceased at the hospital. At the time of this incident Lake Erie was affected by increased wind and wave conditions. The deceased has been identified as a 50-year-old man from Milton.
Detectives from the 3 District detective office have been assigned to the investigation, they are being assisted by the NRPS Forensic Services Unit. Foul play is not suspected.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-0688-4111, option 3, extension 1023300.
23-99377
