BUFFALO, N.Y. — Coast Guard crews and other local agencies suspended their search for a man missing since Monday night in the Niagara River near Lewiston, New York.
The missing man’s name has not been released by the Coast Guard.
Rescue crews searched for more than 12 hours, concentrating on the area of the Niagara River from Lewiston to Lake Ontario.
At around 10:40 p.m., Monday, the Coast Guard received notification from Niagara County of a 51-year-old male from Lewiston, who was reported missing after walking down to the Niagara River earlier that night.
Local authorities conducted a search of the area and found footprints in the snow leading from his residence down to the Niagara River.
Air and ground rescue crews from the Coast Guard, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Lewiston Police Department and Lewiston Fire Department all assisted in the search efforts.
“This appears to be a very unfortunate accident,” said Cdr. Joe Higgins, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, New York. “Icy conditions can be extremely dangerous, particularly around the already unforgiving conditions of our cold winter waters. We encourage anyone going out on the ice to exercise the utmost caution and discretion.”
For more information please contact Coast Guard Sector Buffalo public affairs officer Lt. j.g. Brian Hillman at 716-843-9521 or Coast Guard Ninth District Public Affairs Office at 216-902-6020.