Body of missing swimmer recovered at Port Burwell beach

The body of a 35-year-old Woodstock man has been recovered Monday after he was pulled under while swimming at the Port Burwell Provincial Park beach the day before.

Ontario Provincial Police say the man and his teenage daughter were swimming in Lake Erie around 3 p.m. Sunday when they got into distress.

“The father recognized the daughter in distress, pushed his daughter closer to the shoreline where two good Samaritans were able to rescue a young teenager,” OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said in a video posted on X.

“I’m sad to say that that father did not resurface above the water.”

Emergency crews closed the provincial park as they searched the waters for the missing swimmer. It reopened around noon.

UPDATE – Missing swimmer located deceased by #OPP in the waters of #LakeErie has been identifed as a 35 year old male of #Woodstock, Ontario. Condolences to all family members and friends affected by this tradedy. #ElginOPP ^es pic.twitter.com/437aTGtcfv

— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) June 23, 2025

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