The body of 15-year-old Bryce Hogg was recovered from the Grand River early on July 14, ending a search initiated when Hogg disappeared while tubing in the Elora Gorge on the evening of July 10.
The body was discovered from a private helicopter, employed by supporters of the missing teen, between the 8th Line and Weisenberg Road, southwest of Inverhaugh.
According to Wellington OPP media relations officer Cheri Rockefeller, the body was located at around 8am on July 14 and recovered shortly thereafter by OPP divers, with the assistance of the Centre Wellington fire department water rescue unit.
The discovery ended a massive search that included about 100 volunteers and friends of the family who combed areas of the riverbank on the weekend.
The Elora teen was tubing with two friends on July 10. They entered the river near Salem outside the boundary of the Grand River Conservation Authority-operated Elora Gorge campground.
All three teens were thrown from their tubes, and while two of them made it to shore, Hogg was swept down the river.
“Bryce lost control,” his uncle Mike Carlo told media the day after the youth went missing.
Family had asked for people living along the river to be on the lookout for the youth.
Rockefeller said the victim’s father, Ralph Hogg, thanked all those who assisted with the search at a hastily called press conference Sunday morning after the recovery.
He also urged schoolmates and friends to remember the youth, known as an avid outdoorsman who loved nature, Rockefeller said.
OPP is currently working with the coroner to determine 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,” she said in a media release.
“It’s been tough,” Rockefeller 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.
