Victim identified following drowning at Conestogo Lake

OPP divers have recovered the body of a man who went missing while swimming in Conestogo Lake.

Police say that a child went in the water from a boat. The victim jumped in the water and attempted to assist the child. Witnesses were able to pull the child safely from the water, however, the victim failed to resurface.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., members of the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit recovered the body of the missing man. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim has been identified as Matthew Reynold Ottens, 33-years-old of Mapleton Township.

Centre Wellington Fire Rescue, ORNGE air ambulance, The OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU), and a helicopter from OPP Aviation Services also assisted in the extensive search.

A post-mortem examination has been scheduled for June 14, 2021.

An Ornge air ambulance attended the scene of a drowning at Conestogo Lake Sunday afternoon. Photo by Nathan Marshall

First responders search the water of Conestogo Lake Sunday afternoon for a man who went missing while swimming. His body was recovered Sunday evening. Photo by Nathan Marshall

OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit vehicle. Photo courtesy of the OPP