The fire department responded to Action Sports Center on Gateway Drive around 7:44 p.m. Sunday for a water rescue.
A man was swimming while his family on the shore when he began to experience issues and went under water, said Dayton Fire Department District Chief Nick Judge.
“It looks like very unassuming, calm water but it’s bigger than it looks,” he said.
Based on witness accounts, it appears the man got tired while swimming and then went under. He was too far from the shore for anyone in the immediate area to help him, Judge added.
He did not have a personal flotation device with him.
Crews used sonar devices to help with the search and performed multiple underwater dives Sunday. After about 90 minutes, the search was suspended due to the dark and the operation transitioned to a recovery, according to the fire department.
They returned after sunrise Monday and had multiple boats in the water. They used sonar technology because the area they were searching is 35 feet deep and too dark for underwater drones.
Once crews had an idea of where the man was, the limited visibility still made it difficult for crews to retrieve his body, Judge said.
In addition to the Dayton Fire Department, the Piqua Fire Department Dive Team, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Fire Department Dive Team, Dayton Police Department and Ohio Department of Natural Resources were also at the scene.
With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, Judge advised people to bring a personal flotation device while swimming and to always have someone with them while on the water.
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