Crews to resume search for missing boater on Kenosha County lake
KENOSHA COUNTY (WITI) -- Authorities on Thursday, September 18th said they will continue searching Silver Lake in Kenosha County for a missing fisherman from McHenry, Illinois.
Authorities say they plan to search the shoreline areas first and then resume the sonar search. Agencies involved in Thursday's search are the Wisconsin DNR, Kenosha Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit, Village of Silver Lake Fire Department, Town of Salem Fire Department, and Town of Randall Fire Department.
The search began Tuesday night, September 16th after family members of 66-year-old John Spoor reported that he had not returned home from a fishing trip. Officials say Spoor had left home around 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, and was supposed to return home by 4:00 p.m.
The Kenosha Joint Services Dispatch Center received a call just before 10 p.m. to check for a missing fisherman’s vehicle. The Village of Silver Lake Police Department was dispatched and began this search. At 10:34 p.m. Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputies joined efforts to locate Spoor.
Officers say Spoor’s vehicle and boat trailer were found at the DNR landing on Silver Lake. His boat was located in some weeds against the shoreline on the north side of the lake. The motor was dead. Spoor’s cell phone, a cup of coffee and his fishing gear were found in the boat.
“We’re not exactly sure if the boat landed in the same spot the gentlemen did. He may or may not have fallen out someplace else and the boat may have trolled itself over to this location. So we’re really at a loss of where he might be,” Kenosha Sheriff David Beth said.
Boats from the Wisconsin DNR, Kenosha Sheriff’s Department, Village of Silver Lake Police Department and Salem Rescue are being utilized. Additionally, sonar equipment from Lake County, IL is being utilized to search underwater. A citizen also volunteered a pontoon boat in order to shuttle equipment to and from the waters. Air One, a law enforcement coalition helicopter assisted with the search on Wednesday afternoon.
On Thursday, cadaver dogs were expected to assist in the search.
Officials say at this point, the search is considered to be a recovery mission.
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