Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department February 11, 2024 REF: Press Statement - Incident 24-021 and 24-022 1) On February 10, 2024 at approximately 9:18 pm, the Plymouth Fire Department was dispatched for a capsized boat with victims in the water in the area of 4652 London West Road in Plymouth Township. Shelby Fire Department was also dispatched just prior to us and responded. Upon arrival, two victims were found out of the water, with another still in the water at an unknown location. One of the victims was transported to Ohio Health Shelby. Crews on scene then began a search effort for the missing victim. The search area consisted of a nine-acre pond (Mackey’s Pond), with extensive bank and water growth, located in a field at the noted location.
Throughout the evening additional resources responded from the following agencies: Willard Fire Dept. Dive Team Shelby Fire Department Richland County Sheriff's Office Ashland County Sheriff Dive Team Willard Police (drone) Bucyrus Fire Dept. (lighting) Mansfield Fire Dept. (drone) Sandusky Fire Dept. Dive Team Shelby Police Dept. Ohio State Patrol Aviation Unit An aggressive search was conducted by placing people “in the water” in both floatation suits as well as with divers, by boat, and with multiple drones being used. Lighting was provided by OSP Aviation Unit and Bucyrus Fire during this event. At about 01:05 am, the search was called off after discussion of all involved and with input from our Medical Director. (CONT’D ON PAGE 2) 48 West Broadway Plymouth, OH 44865 ph. (419) 687-5101 fax (419) 687-9046 Richard G. Metzger, Fire Chief Troy Hass, Asst. Chief 2024 Inc 24-021 022
Press Release.docx Page 2 of 2 2) On Sunday February 11, 2024 at approximately 08:00 am, our crews returned to the scene to initiate recovery efforts. Recovery efforts included searches of the pond by drone, cadaver dog search, and surface searches by boat. Plymouth Fire was assisted in the recovery by the following agencies: Willard Fire Dept. Dive Team Shelby Fire Department Richland County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) Ashland County Sheriff Dive Team Willard Police (drone) Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Ohio Search and Rescue Team (OSRT) Richland County EMA Richland County Coroners Office At approximately 03:10 pm the missing boater was located and recovered by first responders. The deceased was removed from the water and turned over to the Richland County Coroners Office.
The victim’s identity will not be released by our department as the investigation of this incident is being conducted by ODNR, RCSO, and the Richland County Coroner’s office. The Plymouth Fire Department would like to express our sincere thanks to all the entities and people that assisted throughout this event. We are fortunate to have so many resources available to assist with events like this. We would also like to thank McDonalds and Wendy's of Shelby for their donation of food and drinks, Kurtzman Sanitation, and the numerous people who stopped by and provided us with food and drink. Our department would like to remind boaters to please use flotation devices while on the water and to take an approved boaters safety course. Richard G. Metzger, Incident PI (TONY ORENDER for MANSFIELD NEWS-JOURNAL.COM)
Drone photos courtesy of Ryan Gillmor of the city Willard, Ohio IT Coordinator & Code Enforcement Officer
Plymouth Fire Chief Richard Metzger Press Release
Plymouth Fire Department Fire Chief Richard Metzger let's the media know they have located the missing person from the boat they have been searching for.
Richland County Coroner Investigator Bob Ball
Richland County Coroner Investigator Bob Ball tells the Mansfield News Journal, that they have Identified the deceased victim, and "Will be taken to Montgomery County Medical Office for further examination."; said Ball
ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) is investigating the cause of the boat to capsized. and reminds watercraft users to operate their responsibly, and always wear a life jacket and pay close conditions local conditions and posted advisories. You can visit their website at watercraft.ohiodnr.gov./lifejacket to learn more.
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