OPP, firefighters recover body off Port Stanley beach waters

Emergency workers recovered a body from Lake Erie off Port Stanley's main beach on Tuesday afternoon, two days after a 14-year-old boy went missing in the water. 

However, police have not released any information on the individual recovered from the water.

"It was a very difficult recovery and it has been a trying couple of days for all of the crew members who have been involved ... as well as with our beach patrol individuals," said Central Elgin Fire Chief Raymond Ormerod, whose crew assisted Ontario Provincial Police with the recovery. 

He said that while it was a tragic situation, rescue workers were glad they were able to locate an individual to help provide "some closure" to loved ones.

Members of the OPP's underwater search-and-recovery unit, working with firefighters, recovered the body from a section of the cement pier located at the eastern edge of the beach.

Const. Brett Phair said the heavy winds made it difficult to recover the body from the rocky section of shoreline.  

The arm of a Central Elgin ladder truck was extended over the water, allowing crews to carry out the rescue from above. 

"No two recoveries are the same — the tools we use and the strategies are going to differ and this one certainly had its challenges," said Phair. 

Police had been searching the waters since Sunday, using a helicopter, police boats and divers. 

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, police told reporters the search and rescue operation for the missing teen had become a "recovery" operation.

The 14-year-old went missing Sunday afternoon. Two other people in distress — a 17-year-old and a 44-year-old, believed to be the boy's brother and father — were pulled from the water by members of the Central Elgin Beach Rescue Service.

The teen's father, Lamir Boz, told CBC on Monday he was still hopeful his son could be found and he was thankful for the support shown to him by the community. 

Four people were rescued Monday

Emergency crews are reminding people to be extra cautious around the water. 

On Monday, four other people had to be rescued from Lake Erie, OPP said. 

A 12-year-old and 15-year-old from Belmont were swimming off Port Stanley's main beach when they became distressed. Two other people a 34-year-old from London and a 42-year-old from Belmont, went into the water to help the kids and also became distressed. 

Members of the Central Elgin Fire Services pulled all four people from the water. Three of the individuals were transported to a local hospital by paramedics as a precaution.

"We're asking everyone who does come to try to be familiar with the layout of the beach," said Ormerod. 

"If you're unsure, we have lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the weekdays ... until 8 p.m. on weekends. Ask the lifeguards what their recommendations are." 

He said there are also signs and a flag system designed to help people stay informed about beach conditions.

In a separate statement, OPP asked members of the public to "educate themselves on the potential dangers associated with water activities, ensure you are familiar with the unique risks associated to the body of water you are entering and take adequate precautions to protect yourself, such as wearing a personal floatation device (PFD)."