City of Kawartha Lakes OPP have recovered the body of 15-year-old Harley Broome of Fenelon Falls, who went missing on Saturday (June 10) after swimming with his friends on the Sturgeon Lake side of the Fenelon Falls locks, known for its cliffs.
The OPP responded to a call about a suspected drowning at around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Broome had entered the water, had not resurfaced, and was missing.
The OPP’s Underwater Search and Recovery Unit began searching for the missing boy and, at around 8 p.m. on Saturday night, recovered Broome’s body from Sturgeon Lake. He was transported to hospital and pronounced deceased,
VIDEO: Cliff jumping in Fenelon Falls
While it is unknown whether Broome was cliff jumping, it is a popular activity for area youth in the summer. Cliff jumping is an inherently risky activity, with several deaths occuring every year in Ontario as a result.
As well as the possibility of underwater logs and rocks, people who misjudge a jump can impact the rock face on the way down or hit the water at the wrong angle.
