Northumberland OPP are asking for the public’s assistance in tracing the movements of a deceased person who was pulled from Lake Ontario on Wednesday evening.
Shortly before 6 p.m. on May 10, 2018 emergency services were called to a report of a male in distress in Lake Ontario between Bagot and Ontario Street.
Two women saw the person in distress in the water.
Members of the Canadian Coast Guard, along with Cobourg Fire Department, Northumberland OPP and Cobourg Police attended the scene to help in the search.
Cobourg Police Acting Staff Sgt. Brent Allison issued a media release at 7:13 p.m. that stated, “Cobourg Police with the assistance of the Cobourg Fire Department are currently on scene at the South end of Ontario Street for a possible missing person in the water.“
Donning cold water immersion suits members of the Cobourg Fire Department searched the shoreline while the Canadian Coast Guard searched farther out in a rescue boat.
A Search and Rescue helicopter from 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton was dispatched and the victim was found in approximately 200 metres off shore in approximately three metres of water. A marker was dropped from the helicopter and a SARTEC (Search and Rescue Technician) was dropped from the helicopter to help with the recovery.
The victim was rushed to Northumberland Hills Hospital, but was pronounced dead.
The Ontario Provincial Police took over the investigation from Cobourg Police as it is their jurisdiction.
On Thursday members of the OPP Emergency Response Team searched the shoreline of Lake Ontario along with Cobourg Creek near where the victim was found.
Members of the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit searched the bottom of the Cobourg Creek for any evidence.
Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in tracing the last movements of Ryan John-Roger ZINKE age 32 of Cobourg, Ontario who is described as Caucasian, 5 8″ (173cm), 145lbs (66kg) with a thin build. He was last seen wearing athletic shorts, no shirt and was known to frequent the Cobourg beach area.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Cobourg OPP Detachment at 905-372-5421 or toll free: 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Peterborough/Northumberland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 and not have to appear in court.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by detectives from the Northumberland Crime Unit under the direction of Detective Inspector Paul Rosato of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
