Teen missing in water off Port Burwell

Peter Hildebrandt, 15, of Malahide is presumed drowned after he went missing in the water by the pier off of Port Burwell main beach in the late afternoon of Sunday, July 27.

Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police, Bayham firefighters and paramedics are currently on the scene Tuesday morning, July 29 continuing the search for his body.

The OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit from Orillia arrived late Monday morning to assist with the search.

Middlesex County OPP Constable Laurie Houghton said emergency personnel were called to the public beach in Port Burwell at about 5:30 p.m. after the teen was reported missing while swimming with three other boys.

The water at the time had minor waves but conditions were not “extreme,” Const. Houghton said.

Elgin OPP, Bayham firefighters and Elgin-St. Thomas Emergency Medical Services responded.

Const. Houghton said the boys were swimming out by the pier on the main beach in Port Burwell when they came to a deeper section of the water.

One male youth began to struggle and went under water and the others were having difficulty in the water as well.

When the rest of the group made it to shore, it was discovered the one boy had not returned.

Const. Houghton confirmed none of the boys were wearing life jackets.

A search was conducted but was discontinued at about 9 p.m. Sunday due to weather and water conditions.

The search was resumed at about 6 a.m. on Monday, July 28.