Search For Loch Raven Drowning Victim Continues: Officials

COCKEYSVILLE, MD — Crews hoping to rescue a man from Loch Raven Reservoir Monday morning are now looking for his body, officials say. What began as a rescue mission turned into a recovery.

At 10:53 a.m., water rescue crews were dispatched to the 10500 block of Pot Spring Road, where witnesses said a man went underwater and did not resurface, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department.

Swift water rescue teams from the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company, Texas station and Arbutus Volunteer Fire Company were unable to find the victim, authorities reported.

Police had seen a man walk down a trail to the reservoir and swim out 75 feet before going underwater, according to ABC 2 News.

The officers were in the area at 10:45 a.m. because neighbors alerted authorities there was a man going door to door asking for water who appeared to be in distress.

Crews searched the area where the man disappeared but did not find him, and the fire department said the mission turned from a rescue to a recovery at 12:40 p.m. Dive crews from Gamber and Carroll County were also assisting, officials reported.

The Baltimore City Police Department's Marine Unit took over the investigation as of 2:20 p.m., according to authorities.

There is no swimming in any of the county's three reservoirs, the Baltimore County Police Department reminds residents. It is illegal to swim in Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy reservoirs.

For those looking to get in the water, authorities suggest local beaches and parks where there are areas specifically designated for swimming. Before going in, medical personnel recommend checking for rocks and testing the water depth.

Photo of the reservoir courtesy of Baltimore County Fire.

Photo courtesy of the Baltimore County Fire Department.