Body found in Welland’s recreational canal

Niagara Regional Police have identified a man who was found floating in the Welland Recreational Canal Wednesday evening and say his next of kin have been notified.

A name has not been released by police.

Police said no foul play is suspected in the man’s death.

Police, Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics and Welland Fire and Emergency Services firefighters all responded to the canal near the Division Street Bridge at 8:35 p.m.

The man — described as white, 50 to 60 years of age, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-9 in height, weighing 150 to 160 pounds with short grey hair balding on top and with a grey and light brown goatee — was found in shallow water on the southeast side of the bridge.

Welland fire Chief Brian Kennedy said firefighters located the man in the canal and had a crew in the water.

“We put our boat in the water … and worked with the police. There was some discussion with the police whether their dive team would do the recovery or whether we would.”

Kennedy said two police divers were put on Welland’s fireboat to make a joint-effort recovery.

The man was taken to shore and was pronounced dead.

Police said the incident remains under investigation. Police are in search of anyone who may have been swimming or in the area of Merritt Park about the time of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call 905688-4111 ext. 3300.

Police are reminding people that although swimming in the canal is not prohibited, it is an unsupervised body of water that presents challenges for entry and exit of the water.