Toronto police’s marine unit is searching for a man in his 20s who went missing after falling off a rental jet ski at Bluffer’s Beach on Sunday night.
Authorities say the incident occurred around 9 p.m. at the Scarborough beach, located off Kingston Road.
Police confirmed that two people were riding the jet ski on Lake Ontario when a man, who was not wearing a life jacket, fell into the water and has not been located.
A female passenger, who was wearing a life jacket, managed to make it safely to shore. Police say she was assisted by bystanders.
“Both of them fell from the jet ski. The male, the operator, who we are looking for, gave the female the life jacket,” said Duty Inspector Lhawang Jongdong. “It’s hard to fathom finding [the missing man] alive, at this point.”
Police believe that the man and the woman weren’t strong swimmers. The female managed to get back on the jet ski after falling off; the man failed to do so, police said.
Emergency crews, including marine units and search and rescue teams, were dispatched to the scene and continued their search into the night. As of Tuesday morning, the man has not been located, and the investigation is ongoing.
“They are actively searching, along with the Canadian Coast Guard, as well,” said Jongdong.
Toronto police confirmed the jet ski being used by the individual missing was rented.