Shock and dismay turned to grief this week, as the community here mourned the loss of Elora teen Bryce Hogg.
Remembered as a fun-loving kid and avid outdoorsman who enjoyed riding motor bikes, ATVs and snowmobiles, the 15-year-old died after falling into the Grand River while tubing in the Elora Gorge on July 10.
Visitations were planned for Hogg at Graham Giddy Funeral Home in Fergus on July 17 and 18, and his funeral is set for July 19 at 11am at Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus, where he was a student.
On July 14, following the discovery of Hogg’s body after an exhaustive search, his father Ralph urged schoolmates and friends to remember his son as a “great little man that had a heart of gold.”
Ralph Hogg also thanked emergency service personnel and dozens of volunteers who helped search for his son and who offered their support, which he said gave the family strength.
Well over 100 people – aided by police and private helicopters and boats – searched the Grand River and its banks for over 80 hours following Hogg’s disappearance in the Elora Gorge on the evening of July 10.
His body was discovered at about 8am on July 14 from a private helicopter, employed by supporters of the missing teen, between the 8th Line and Weisenberg Road, southwest of Inverhaugh.
Wellington County OPP media relations officer Cheri Rockefeller said the body was recovered shortly thereafter by OPP divers, with the assistance of the Centre Wellington fire department’s water rescue unit.
On July 10 sometime after 7pm Bryce Hogg and two friends decided to go tubing in the Elora Gorge.
Tubing had been suspended at the gorge since July 8 and Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) spokesman Dave Schultz noted river flows were 10 times what officials usually allow for tubing, due to recent heavy rainfalls.
Schultz said officials believe the three boys entered the river near Salem outside the boundary of the Elora Gorge campground operated by the GRCA.
All three teens were thrown from their tubes, due to what police called “fast flowing, turbulent waters.”
Two of the boys made it to shore, but Hogg was swept down the river.
“Bryce lost control,” his uncle Mike Carlo told media the day after the youth went missing.
Police received the call about the missing youth on July 10 at 9:21pm.
In the following days family members asked for people living along the river to search for Hogg.
On July 14 their worst fears were confirmed with the discovery of the body.
The OPP is working with the coroner to determine the cause of death, Rockefeller said.
“Along with the family, Wellington County OPP would like to thank everyone who assisted, especially the members of the community for their efforts and support during the ordeal,” Rockefeller said in a media release.
“It’s been tough,” she told the Advertiser. “My heart goes out to the family.”
Wellington OPP detachment commander Inspector Scott Lawson said the effort to locate the boy was a “partnership” between emergency personnel, family members and supporters.
Carlo has announced that donations are welcomed to the Bryce Hogg Memorial Fund, which the family says will go towards “improving water safety on the Grand River.”
Contact Carlo at 519-831-2936 or mc@integrateit.ca for information. – With files from Chris Daponte
