An extended family in Norfolk and Haldimand is coping with a second tragedy following the disappearance of a Port Dover commercial fisherman in Lake Erie this week.
Michael Smith — a cousin of nine-year-old Alex Ottley, who disappeared into Lake Erie near Peacock Point Feb. 15 — fell off the fishing tug Donna F Monday morning about 13 kilometres west of Long Point and has not been seen since. The OPP’s underwater search and recovery unit was on the lake in search of Smith’s body Wednesday.
Feb. 17, Smith posted a picture of Ottley, who was swept into the lake trying to save a friend, on Facebook with the caption “My little cousin. What a hero.”
Ottley’s body was found Tuesday afternoon, a day after Smith’s disappearance, after a lakeshore resident east of Peacock Point notified authorities of something in the water. An OPP marine unit recovered Alex’s body about 40 metres from shore.
A friend said Tuesday Smith was a seasoned commercial fisherman with experience on the lobster banks of the east coast. In recent years, Smith became known on Facebook as a self-described “visual storyteller” chronicling his day-to-day labours on Lake Erie.
Smith posted his last video Monday morning less than three hours before he disappeared. The two-minute clip consists of a walking tour of the Donna F and views of the horizon as the crew heads out of Long Point Bay.
“Currently heading out of Port Dover harbour aboard the Donna F,” the clip is captioned. “Stay safe and be happy. It may be tough with what is happening (with COVID-19) in the world today but…Be happy. Love my little town.”
Comments in the Facebook timeline begin upbeat but end with crying-face and broken-heart emojis as word circulated of events later that morning.
“You be safe out there,” Brenda Fuller said in a post. “Have a great day fishing and come home with lots.”
Another post by Sharon Mann said “Thanks for taking us with you to a place where there is no virus. Wishing you successful fishing and good health.”
Police have not confirmed that Smith is the missing fisherman but numerous independent sources – including his spouse Sherry Smith of Port Dover – have acknowledged the situation.
Police said Alex Ottley and an eight-year-old friend were playing along the lakeshore in Peacock Point when they were swept into the water.
Ottley’s 10-year-old sister, who was with the boys, ran to the road and hailed a passing motorist. A man and woman were able to pull the eight-year-old to safety but Alex went beneath the surface and wasn’t seen again.
