USCG File Photo
BUFFALO, NY — The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday afternoon for a person reported to be in the water calling for help in the Eastern Upper Niagara River early Monday morning.
At approximately 4:30 a.m., the Coast Guard Sector Buffalo Command Center received notification from Erie County 911 dispatch of employees at the Buffalo Sewage Treatment Plant on Unity Island seeing a person in the water yelling for help.
The employees followed the individual as far along the property as possible attempting to assist and gain information.
Search crews covered the canal shoreline and the entire Eastern Upper Niagara River with boats and helicopters, and the Buffalo Police conducted dive operations in the area.
Due to the saturation of the area, no amplifying information and negative results, Coast Guard search efforts were suspended Monday afternoon.
A New York State Police dive team is scheduled to arrive Tuesday with side-scan sonar equipment to assist with efforts.
Involved with the search were: two Coast Guard Station Buffalo response boats; two Coast Guard Air Station Detroit helicopters; an Erie County Sheriff’s helicopter; three Canadian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton, Ontario, fire boats; the Buffalo Police Department dive team; and a Hamburg Police Department boat.
Anyone who has information that could help identify the individual is urged to contact a local law enforcement agency.
