On June 11th, the Conneaut Police Department announced that the body of Hunter Ebie (10) had been found and delivered to the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Medical Examiner’s Office after a massive search of Lake Erie that lasted several days had turned up no leads.
The Medical Examiner’s Office announced on June 11th that the boy’s body had been recovered and gave their condolences to Hunter’s family.
According to the police, Ebie, along with his mom and a friend, had gone to Conneaut Township Park last Friday afternoon. Hunter was swept away by a powerful rip tide in ankle-deep water.
The boy purportedly broke down in tears in the presence of his family, according to a GoFundMe page set up by a family friend.
The NWS (National Weather Service) warned about rip tides that morning, but the family said they had not seen any warning.
The family’s statement said that more life preservers should be distributed and people should be made more aware of rip tides and how strong they are. They don’t want anyone else to die in the currents. They ended the statement by writing that their love for Hunter would last forever.
The NWS advises against fighting a rip current if you find yourself stuck in it.
Try floating or treading water if you’re caught.
Scream and wave your arms for attention.
Swim parallel to the shore, and when you are released from the tide, swim directly to the beach.
Now, fifteen-year-old John Repasky is heading the effort to make the lake safer for everyone. He wants to raise awareness of harmful situations like rip tides, so Repasky and his scout troop have pledged to collect cash to buy warning flags and metal warning signs. He told the council that there were no warning signs and that the only thing the beach had was a “swim at your own risk” sign.
The president of the Conneaut City Council has supported Repasky’s plan, saying that it is in the best interest of all lake visitors. The park’s board will have the final say.
