UPDATE: DFD suspends search for missing man in Great Miami River; Operation switches to recovery

DAYTON — UPDATE @ 3:34 p.m.:

The Dayton Fire Department is suspending its search for a missing male in the Great Miami River in downtown Dayton for the day.

The search for the man, identified by family as Cole Estes, has transitioned from an active search and rescue to a recovery, according to a release.

>> UPDATE: ‘All clear’ given after investigation at Montgomery County Job Center

“Operations at the incident site will be continually re-evaluated as crews monitor weather conditions, water levels, and any additional information that becomes available,” the release stated.

UPDATE @ 11:37 a.m.:

Emergency services are continuing a search and rescue operation for a missing man that fell into the Great Miami River Friday.

The Dayton Fire Department issued a press release detailing recovery efforts for the man, previously identified by family as Cole Estes. DFD has been searching since 1:17 a.m. after receiving reports of a male struggling in the river, but has experienced setbacks due to unforeseen circumstances.

>> Levitt Pavilion Dayton cancels Friday concert due to weather

“Crews deployed multiple boats into the water and searched all nearby riverbanks, as well as utilized thermal imaging devices, underwater drones, aerial drones, and SONAR devices,” the release said. “Crews performed active search operations continuously for approximately three hours, at which point the search was temporarily suspended due to impending poor weather conditions.”

The rescue operation is a joint-effort composed of teams from the Dayton Police Department, Five Rivers MetroParks, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Fire Department, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and West Carrollton Police Department, as well as DFD.

“At this time, no victim has been located,” the release stated. “Multiple rescue crews, boats, and other resources are continuing to actively search the area surrounding the initial report, as well as other areas further downstream, but remain challenged by unfavorable weather conditions in the area.”

The family of Estes is asking anyone with information to contact Dayton Police or the Dayton Fire Department with details.

UPDATE @ 9:48 a.m.:

The man missing in the Great Miami River was identified by a family member Friday morning.

Cole Estes, 36, reportedly fell into the water from a spillway after a Dayton Dragons game last night.

David Wilson, a family member, is concerned for Estes’ safety.

“He was here on the spillway and slipped in, but he couldn’t get back out,” Wilson said. “His girlfriend told me he didn’t have a life jacket on – hopefully he’s at the hospital.”

Wilson asks anyone with information to reach out to local authorities.

“If anyone knows where Cole Estes is reach out to Dayton Police or Fire Department,” Wilson said. “Cole… you’re missed buddy.”

UPDATE @ 8:33 a.m.:

Water rescue efforts have resumed in Dayton on the Great Miami River after weather conditions forced crews to suspend operations early Friday morning.

Crews were called to the area of West Monument Ave after reports of someone jumping into the river around 1 a.m., according to initial reports.

Our crews on the scene reported crews using drones and multiple boats to search the river.

>> 1 shot in Dayton; Caller to 911 takes victim to a hospital

Initial reports indicate that crews from West Carrollton, Dayton and Wright-Patterson are assisting with the search.

At around 4:20 a.m. the search was suspended due to weather conditions, according to initial reports.

Crews returned to the river to continue efforts around 8:20 a.m., according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch records.

We will update this story as we learn more.

©2022 Cox Media Group