Town of St. Marys updates drowning incident at St. Marys Quarry

The body of a 63-year-old man who drowned at the St. Marys Quarry yesterday has been recovered and identified by Stratford Police Service.

Shortly before 1 p.m. today, the Ontario Provincial Police Underwater Search and Recovery Unit entered the water at the St. Marys Quarry. After trying several location methods, the body was recovered and removed from the water. The family of the deceased has been contacted.

“On behalf of the Town of St. Marys, I extend our deepest condolences to the family at this sad time,” Mayor Al Strathdee. “As a tight-knit community that welcomes visitors, we are heartbroken by this tragedy.”

As of this morning, the St. Marys Quarry is closed for the remainder of the 2020 season. Stratford Police Service has advised municipal staff the Quarry must remain closed until a coroner’s report is received, a process that can take up to two weeks or longer. The closure also allows for support and protection for Quarry lifeguards and staff as needed.

Refunds will be provided for any advance registrations that have been made, as the Quarry would have been scheduled to close on Monday, Sept. 7.

At approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, police, fire and EMS responded to a call at the swimming Quarry in St. Marys. A man from the Kitchener-Waterloo area was snorkeling in the water and his family reported him missing. The search was called off at approximately 6:30 p.m., and the Quarry was secured overnight by Stratford Police Service.

The Town of St. Marys would like to thank Stratford Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police Underwater Search and Recovery Unit, Perth County EMS, St. Marys Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Quarry staff for their professionalism and compassion during this tragic event.

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Contact

Brent Kittmer | CAO/Clerk
519-284-2340, ext. 216 | bkittmer@town.stmarys.on.ca