Man’s body recovered from Maumee River in Henry County

HENRY COUNTY, Ohio (WTVG) - The body of a Grand Rapids, Ohio man was recovered Saturday from the Maumee River in Henry County after hitting his head and falling into the water, according to authorities.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office says they responded about 6:40 p.m. to the Maumee River west of County Road 4 in Washington Township for reports of a possible drowning.

Alex Smith, 49, of Grand Rapids, had fallen off a boat while on the river and could not be located, a news release stated. Smith was on a boat with his wife when he hit his head and fell into the water, according to the Liberty Township Fire-Rescue Department.

It’s not yet clear how the man hit his head before falling into the water or if he was wearing a life jacket. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office said there were no indicators of foul play.

Toledo Fire Water Rescue and Dive Team received a mutual aid request from the Henry County Sherriff’s office and assisted in the search. At approximately 8:19 p.m., a diver entered the water and searched the area where Smith was last seen for about 30 minutes before resurfacing, according to Private Sterling Rahe with Toledo Fire and Rescue.

The diver reentered the water a short time later and at 9:22 p.m. found Smith who was deceased.

“Although we obviously were hoping for a better outcome, we are proud to have been one of several agencies that were able to help give closure to the family and friends of the deceased,” Pvt. Rahe said in a statement to 13abc.

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted in the search and recovery efforts, along with Liberty Twp. Fire, Damascus Twp. Fire and Rescue, Grand Rapids Fire, Waterville Fire, Springfield Twp. Fire and K9 unit, Continental Fire, Toledo Fire and Rescue Dive Team, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

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