NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Aug. 25 update:
Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers along with Muskoka Paramedic Services and Bracebridge Fire Department responded to a drowning at the beach area of Kelvin Grove Park in Bracebridge shortly after 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 after three women and the victim attempted to save an inexperienced swimmer who had entered the water and became distressed. The swimmer was rescued however the victim disappeared in the water.
The OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit attended to conduct a search of the water and shortly after 9 p.m. located the victim, 51-year-old Kevin Schell of Bracebridge, unfortunately deceased.
Original Aug. 24 release:
Members of the Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency crews were called shortly after 2 p.m. this afternoon to assist with a person in distress at a beach area at Kelvin Grove Park in Bracebridge.
Before police arrived, three men noticed the person in distress and entered the water to try and help. One of the men who went into the water to help slipped below the surface out of view.
The other two men were able to successfully reach the first person who was in distress and pull him to safety.
The third man, a 51-year-old from Bracebridge, is still missing.
A vessel from Bracebridge Fire Service remains on scene combing the area. The OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit will assist with the search later this evening.
The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.
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