The body of a 64-year-old Kettering man was recovered Monday during a second search of the Mad River at the Eastwood MetroPark after he went under and did not resurface.
- The victim, Stephen Smith, was recovered about 10:30 a.m.
- Water rescue started around 6 p.m. Sunday
- Body found in rapids area near Mad River kayak experience
Water rescue called off due to darkness at Eastwood Lake for missing man
Rescue crews resumed recovery efforts at 8 a.m. Monday, about 12 hours after the search was first suspended because of darkness.
Officials said Stephen Smith, 64, entered a rapids area of the Mad River without a life jacket Sunday evening, went underwater, and didn’t resurface.
Smith’s body was found about 10:30 a.m. Monday with the use of sonar in an 18-foot-deep area, Dayton fire District Chief Matt McClain said.
Investigators are still not sure on the circumstances surrounding Smith’s death.
Mark Hess, Five Rivers MetroParks chief of public safety, said they had no previous dealings with Smith prior to Sunday’s incident.
The water rescue began Sunday after the Outdoor Experience festival at the MetroPark. McClain said Smith’s body was recovered near the kayak water feature, but he had not been kayaking.
“It’s very deceiving around this water feature,” McClain said.
