PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP — The body of a Shelby man, recovered Sunday after he was reported missing at a Plymouth Township pond, will be transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s office for an autopsy.
Bob Ball, chief investigator for the Richland County Coroner’s Office, identified the victim as Zackary Willis, 24, of Shelby.
Willis’ body was recovered Sunday afternoon in a Plymouth Township pond near London West Road.
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Boat capsized Saturday night
The Plymouth Fire Department was dispatched Saturday at 9:18 p.m. for a capsized boat with victims in the water in the area of 4652 London West Road in Plymouth Township.
Shelby Fire Department was also dispatched and responded to the scene, Plymouth Fire Chief Richard Metzger said in a press statement.
Upon arrival, two victims were found out of the water, with another still in the water at an unknown location. One of the victims was transported to Ohio Health Shelby, the chief said.
Crews on the scene then began a search effort for the missing victim.
The search area consisted of a nine-acre pond — referred to as Mackey’s Pond — with extensive bank and water growth, located in a field at the noted location, he said.
“It (pond) may actually be a little larger,” Metzger said during an interview Monday with Richland Source.
“But with the (bank and water) growth, there was actually nine acres of open surface.”
Investigators from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources told Metzger the three victims had gone on the water to fish, noting he hadn’t spoken with the victims directly.
Additional emergency personnel and resources responded throughout Saturday evening from the following agencies: Willard Fire Dept. Dive Team, Shelby Fire Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff Dive Team, Willard Police (drone), Bucyrus Fire Dept. (lighting), Mansfield Fire Dept. (drone), Sandusky Fire Dept. Dive Team, Shelby Police Dept. and the Ohio State Patrol Aviation Unit.
Search paused around 1 a.m. Sunday morning
Metzger said an aggressive search was conducted by placing people “in the water” in both floatation suits, as well as with divers, by boat and with multiple drones being used.
Lighting was provided by OSP Aviation Unit and Bucyrus Fire at this time, he said.
Around 1:05 a.m., Metzger said the search was called off after discussion of all involved and input from their medical director.
Recovery efforts initiated Sunday morning
Crews returned to the scene Sunday at approximately 8 a.m. to initiate recovery efforts.
Recovery efforts included searches of the pond by drone, cadaver dog search and surface searches by boat, said the chief.
Plymouth Fire was assisted in the recovery by the following agencies: Willard Fire Dept. Dive Team, Shelby Fire Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff Dive Team, Willard Police (drone), ODNR, Ohio Special Response Team, Richland County EMA and the Richland County Coroners Office.
At approximately 3:10 pm, Metzger said the missing boater was located and recovered by first responders.
The deceased was removed from the water and turned over to the Richland County Coroners Office, he said.
Metzger said responders faced several challenges while trying to locate Willis’ body.
“There were conflicting reports of where he possibly could’ve went down at,” he said. “With it being night, people become a little disoriented at night time around water.”
“It was just a matter of trying to hone in on that (Willis’ possible location) the night that it occurred. And then it was the same thing yesterday (Sunday).”
No injuries were sustained by members of responding entities during the two-day search, rescue and recovery, he added.
Metzger said the investigation of this incident is being conducted by ODNR, RCSO and the Richland County Coroner’s office.
Below is a PDF showing the press statement released by Plymouth Fire Chief Richard Metzger.
Plymouth Fire Chief thanks community for support
Metzger said it was hard for responders to leave Sunday afternoon once efforts had concluded.
“There was a lot of people there. We put forth the best effort that we could,” he said.
“We (responders) all put ourselves in the family’s shoes. When we were trying to do the rescue, we wanted to get him out. We wanted there to be a chance.
“It was really mentally trying on the people that were there, because it was just the frustration of ‘We need to get this family closure.’ And luckily, we were able to do that.”
Metzger added the Plymouth Fire Department would like to express their sincere thanks to all who assisted throughout the event.
“We are fortunate to have so many resources available to assist with events like this,” he said.
“We would also like to thank McDonald’s and Wendy’s of Shelby for their donation of food and drinks, Kurtzman Sanitation, and the numerous people who stopped by and provided us with food and drink.
“Our department would like to remind boaters to please use flotation devices while on the water and to take an approved boaters safety course.”
