News

Actions

Boat accident survivor tells coast guard second fisherman died in Lake Erie

Posted
and last updated

A boat accident survivor who was rescued from Lake Erie Tuesday told the Coast Guard that the fisherman he was with died overnight.

The search was called off for the second fishermen, according to the Coast Guard.

Officials found Lester Hill clinging to the boat Tuesday afternoon. He was located about 15 miles northeast of downtown around 12:30 p.m.

The man he was with, Larry Love, is still missing.

Hill's family issued the following statement Tuesday:

We are so grateful that he survived what we can only imagine was an incredibly challenging 28 hours. We want to give a special thank you to all of the first responders, local, national and international, who answered the call for help and aided in his rescue.
As the search for Lester’s friend continues, our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Authorities said the pair launched their boat from the Edgewater Marina on Monday morning around 5:30 a.m. 

They were expected to return by 7:30 p.m. However, the family called for help just after 9:30 p.m. after failing to hear from either one of the men.

Linda Krecic, a spokesperson for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, confirmed the two fishermen are off-duty employees.

Lester Hill is an RTA Transit Police Officer and Larry Love is a booth attendant for the RTA.

Hill is listed as stable at MetroHealth Medical Center.

Authorities said their cell phones had last pinged on Monday at 9:10 a.m. about five nautical miles from the Edgewater boat launch.

The pair was aboard a 22-foot Starcraft fishing boat.