Tuesday, July 7th, 2020
1 killed, 1 hurt in lake accident
Officials: Operate watercraft safely
By Sydney Albert
CELINA - A deadly personal watercraft crash early Monday on Grand Lake is being investigated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
A incident involving a personal watercraft was reported at 12:40 a.m., according to an ODNR news release.
Montezuma Fire Chief Lee Braun said his rescuers were called to the rock pier near Coldwater Creek after two kayakers heard someone calling for help.
Montezuma rescue personnel reportedly picked up a man who told them no one else had been with him at the time of the accident. Braun said the man was then interviewed by ODNR representatives, who received a similar statement.
Upon being interviewed by Mercer County Sheriff's deputies, however, the man reportedly indicated another person had been on board with him.
Braun said his department was called back out to the lake at about 3:30 a.m. for additional searching. During that search they found the male operator of the watercraft dead on the south side of the Coldwater Creek pier.
Montezuma rescue personnel were assisted by Celina Fire Department personnel as they removed and transported the body.
The passenger had minor injuries, according to the ODNR news release. No other details were made available before press time.
"ODNR reminds watercraft users to operate their equipment responsibly, always wear a life jacket and pay close attention to local conditions and posted advisories," the release states. Visit watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/lifejackets to learn more.
