SEARCH CALLED OFF FOR THE NIGHT

Lorain – An extensive search of the shoreline late Tuesday night turned up nothing by rescuers.

Assistant Chief Randy Hupp of the Lorain Fire Department said that their operation would end shortly after 3am – ending a nearly 4 hour search for a man that witnesses say was in the water and in distress. “Someone called the Police and reported that he had heard and seen a person in the lake in the area of 5000 West Erie Ave. He stated the man was about 50 to 100 yards out in the water and that he followed him along the shoreline for about 5 minutes before he lost sight of him.”

Firefighters began doing shoreline searches while the Coast Guard searched with a boat and a helicopter. Members from the Lorain County Technical Rescue Response Team arrived on scene to assist with manpower. “They will use their team to research certain areas thoroughly and I would imagine that when they finish we will wrap things up tonight and then reevaluate the situation first thing in the morning.”

Hupp said he believed the Coast Guard would continue searching throughout the night.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE