Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services dispatched its Rescue 1 airboat near Marks Bay Thursday evening after a call reporting a possible sighting of a floating body said Platoon Chief Stan Martynuck.
After sunset, retired millwright Les Breathat was out getting a breath of fresh air near Victoria Street and Cottage Lane when he spotted a hump on the water.
“I went and got my binoculars… it looked like it could be a human being,” said Breathat who said he then dialled 911.
At 9:25 p.m. Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services received a call that there was a possible body floating on the river said Martynuck.
Firefighters dispatched pumpers and their 16-foot Husky airboat.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and Emergency Medical Services also attended the scene.
The airboat launched into the water at the end of Victoria Street and proceeded to make an ‘East-West grid search’ over the St. Marys River said Martynuck.
A body wasn’t found but firefighters did find some debris and seaweeds that they said could have been mistaken for a floating body said Martynuck.
Martynuck said that after an extensive search they could not find a body and that both firefighters and police were sufficiently satisfied to call the evening search off.
“I was so relieved,” said Breathat.
Martynuck said police will follow up with the matter if necessary.