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Update (Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2022): Kingston Police have now released further details regarding the deceased male who was recovered from the water on the evening of Tuesday, Jul. 5, 2022.
The deceased male had originally entered the water off the dock at the bottom of Brock Street, also known as the Crawford Wharf, on the evening of Monday, Jul. 4, 2022. Three other individuals jumped into the water when it became clear the male was in need of aid, however, the three were unable to locate the man, and were safely returned to shore as search and rescue efforts began that night.
While police will not be releasing the name of the deceased “out of respect for the family,” Kingston Police did disclose that the deceased male was a 32-year-old local resident.
“Kingston Police would, again, like to acknowledge the heroic efforts of the three individuals who valiantly attempted to save this male in Lake Ontario during this tragic incident,” Const. Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police said on Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2022.
“Kingston Police would also like to reiterate that, following their investigation, no foul play is suspected in regards to this incident.”
Police were not able to provide information to clarify why the dock was reopened to the public and the tour boats allowed to return to their usual travels in the water prior to the man being recovered from the water, and indicated that no further information on this incident is expected to be released.
Update #2: According to Kingston Police, at about 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Jul. 5, 2022, the missing male was recovered deceased from Lake Ontario by the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Team. “The investigation will continue to determine this individual’s identity and next of kin will subsequently be notified. No foul play is suspected by police in regards to this incident,” Kingston Police said.
Update: As of 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jul. 5, 2022, the Ontario Provincial Police Search and Recovery Team had arrived on scene at Crawford Wharf, the dock at the end of Brock Street in downtown Kingston, to recommence search efforts for the individual still missing in the water.
Original article: Kingston Police and the Ontario Provincial Police Search and Recovery Team arrived at the dock at the bottom of Brock Street in downtown Kingston today around noon to continue search operations that began last night.
At approximately 7 p.m. on Monday, Jul. 4, 2022, Kingston Police, Kingston Fire and Rescue, Frontenac Paramedic Services, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were all called to the dock area. The Canadian Coast Guard was also involved immediately, and Kingston Fire and Rescue’s boat was sent to the scene as the Coast Guard declared a May Day.
“Just after 7:00 p.m. on July 4, 2022 Kingston Police received a call regarding a person in need of assistance. An unidentified male with a beard and fully clothed had been observed jumping into the water at Brock Dock, otherwise known as Crawford Wharf,” Const. Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police said on Tuesday, Jul. 5, 2022.
“This male then proceeded to swim out approximately 100 feet from the shore. A 24 year old witness who observed the male in the water in some form of distress jumped in and swam out in an attempt to assist/rescue him. Two other witnesses on a nearby docked vessel also attempted to assist in the water rescue.”
All ferry and boat services in the area were halted, as first responders quickly carried out search and rescue operations. At approximately 10:55 p.m., the May Day was cancelled, and the emergency response vessels ceased operations. All ferry services resumed, however, the dock at the bottom of Brock Street – where many of the area tour boats are docked – remained closed off with police tape. Police cruisers remained on scene well into the night.
“The witness lost sight of the male prior to reaching his location in the water and, although in a heroic effort he attempted to dive down to search for the male, he was unable to locate this individual under the water,” Gutheinz said, noting that the Coast Guard’s efforts to locate the male were also unsuccessful.
“Kingston Police utilized their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) extensively while searching the area, however the individual was not located.”
By 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jul. 5, 2022, however, the police tape had been removed. Tour and ferry boat operations were continuing as usual. Kingston Police could not immediately explain why boats had resumed service in the area with one person still missing.
The OPP have indicated that Kingston Police are the lead agency in the ongoing investigation, and Kingston Police said they were scheduled to return to the dock with the OPP Search and Recovery Team in the early afternoon of Tuesday, Jul. 5, 2022, to continue recovery efforts. While Kingston Fire and Rescue confirmed their attendance at the scene last night, the local fire department indicated that communications would be handled by police.
“Although no foul play is suspected, the Kingston Police Criminal Investigations Division is assisting in the investigation by attempting to identify the unknown male.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Kingston Police at 613-549-4660.
Kingston Police are expected to relay further information to the media later today. This article will be updated if/when more information becomes available.
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