Tuesday, November 17th, 2020
Body of recovered kayaker identified
By William Kincaid
ST. MARYS - A 30-year-old Gahanna man whose body was recovered from the south side of Grand Lake on Sunday afternoon was later pronounced dead at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. ODNR was called at about 5:20 p.m. to help a kayaker in distress. First responders upon arrival found the man, later identified as Samuel Wilson, unconscious in a personal flotation device, per an ODNR news release.
No further details were provided, including the reason why Wilson was kayaking in rough waters on Sunday. The incident remains under investigation by ODNR, spokeswoman Stephanie O'Grady said.
"ODNR reminds all visitors at state parks to be aware of local conditions, such as high or swift-moving water, that can pose additional safety risks and to carefully follow safety instructions from park officials and take note of posted advisory signs," the release stated.
Multiple fire departments on Sunday afternoon responded to 11 Cottonwood Lane, St. Marys, on the south side of the lake, concerning reports of a man in the water.
Wilson was found about 100 yards offshore, St. Marys Township Fire Chief Chad Hicks said, noting that three emergency vessels were deployed by the Montezuma, Celina and St. Marys fire departments during the rescue mission.
"All we know so far is that there was a kayaker in the water and (the kayak) overturned or something and he was in distress," Hicks said shortly after the operation's completion.
Emergency personnel carried out the rescue mission in churning waters and amid intense wind gusts.
"It's extremely rough. This is some of the roughest waters we've seen all year," Hicks had said on Sunday.
