Body of missing fisherman found in Lake Erie

An anxious week for the family of a 74-year-old fisherman who went missing in Lake Erie last Thursday has ended in tragedy.

Haldimand County OPP say members of the underwater search and recovery unit found the man's body in the lake around 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

The man's name was not released, nor was any information provided about how or where his body was found.

The man had reportedly gone out fishing off Port Maitland at 4 a.m. on June 16. When he did not return to shore that afternoon, the police were called and a search began that continued well into the night.

The search involved the OPP marine unit and aviation services, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre based out of Trenton, Ont., Niagara police and the Canadian Coast Guard.

OPP victim services continues to provide support to family members, Const. Mary Gagliardi said in a press release.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available," Gagliardi said.

J.P. Antonacci's reporting on Haldimand and Norfolk is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. jpantonacci@thespec.com