Body found in Alum Creek

0

Authorities located the body of an Australian woman Monday night who went missing after a Sunday accident at Alum Creek Lake in Delaware County.

Stephanie Leis, public information officer at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, confirmed Monday night that authorities had located the body of Morgan Montgomery, 19, of Willunga, Australia, who had been part of a church group visiting Alum Creek as part of a summer camp trip.

Leis reported crews found the body north of the beach and south of the marina at about 7 p.m. after more than a day of searching.

Leis said authorities received a call Sunday about 4 p.m. about a woman who was reported hit by a boat in Alum Creek Lake. The woman had been water-skiing when she fell into the water and was hit by a boat from another group.

Authorities searched for the woman’s body until about 9 p.m. Sunday and resumed the search at 9 a.m. Monday.

Authorities did not release Montgomery’s name until her body was discovered.

The driver of the boat that struck Montgomery has been identified by authorities but the driver’s identity also has not been released. The driver has reportedly been cooperating with the investigation.

Leis said no charges have been filed against the driver but said an investigation is still ongoing.

Leis said several search boats were equipped with Humminbird equipment, which uses sonar to find objects in water. A cadaver dog, used to find bodies, was also part of the search. Leis said an aerial drone was also being used to search Alum Creek.

Leis added that Montgomery was reportedly wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.

Crews from ODNR as well as the Berlin Township, Orange Township and Genoa Township fire departments had assisted in the search.

The Genoa Township Fire Department’s dive team was also deployed to the area.

The Associated Press reported Monday that the woman was attending a church camp for youths between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. They report water-skiing is among several activities for Ohio Teen Camp, one of several camps sponsored by the Living Church of God in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Woman, 19, killed in boating accident

By Glenn Battishill

[email protected]

Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.

No posts to display