BlackburnNews.com file photo of the Detroit River. (Photo by Jason Viau)BlackburnNews.com file photo of the Detroit River. (Photo by Jason Viau)
Windsor

UPDATE: U.S. Coast Guard calls off search for man who fell through ice

Unless there is evidence a man who fell through the ice on the Detroit River last night is still alive, the U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search.

Witnesses spotted the man on the ice near Belle Isle around 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The Coast Guard called in its ice rescue team, but it could not get close to where the man fell through because the ice was too thin.

A helicopter joined the search and remained on the scene four hours before calling off the effort around 9 p.m.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Jeremiah Schissel with the U.S. Coast Guard said given that it appears the man did not resurface, his chances of survival are "pretty much zero."

Michigan State Police is still trying to identify the man.

"We have not located any abandoned vehicles, or had any missing person reports," said Public Information Officer, Michael Shaw.

Windsor Police responded to the incident with a heavy presence, but once it was determined the man got on the ice on the Detroit side of the river, they deferred the rescue to American officials.

- With files from Ruby Sweeney.

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