Possible Drowning at Miller Road Park

Updated 12:41 a.m.

Avon Lake and departments spent more than three hours on the evening of July 4 at searching for a missing Cleveland male.

A Coast Guard helicopter also assisted in the search.

Avon Lake police lieutenant Duane Streator said 9-1-1 received a call at 8:36 p.m. of a male in distress. The call was made by a person on the beach. One person went out to help the man, but was unsuccessful.

By the time the fire and police departments arrived, the man was believed to have been under water for 20 minutes.

The possible victim is a 23-year-old male from Cleveland. He was fishing near the breakwall by the power plant discharge as part of a group of six relatives.

"It's the same area where there is a dropoff," Streator said.

The man was last scene near the canal where dangerous current signs are posted. The area is buoyed off as a no-swim zone. Streator would not say whether the currents played a part in the situation. He was also unable to comment on the man's swimming ability.

Avon Lake fire lieutenant Jeff Moore said the currents during the rescue attempt were strong.

"After about two passes the divers are pretty much spent," Moore said. "When all the units are fired up (at the plant) it's a pretty significant current."

Moore said the fire department used a 41-foot rescue boat, two jet skis, two divers and two tenders to assist the divers on the lake. Some rescue personnel, including members from the Lorain County Dive Team, assisted from other cities. 

The water search for the man, whose name has not yet been released, was discontinued at 12:38 a.m. July 5. Streator said his team would meet with divers to assess conditions at daylight and determine the next steps.

The Coast Guard helicopter returned to the park at 1 a.m. to conduct additionalspotlight sweeps.

Parks and Recreation Director Gary Gerrone said at the time the man went missing that there was a park attendant in the park at the time, but that the attendant is not a lifeguard.

On June 29, Avon Lake Patch wrote about the area and the need for more signage.

Check back for more details.