Saturday October, 7 2023 @ 19:17

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1 - (Bay Colony (84))

Address:  29664 Colony Dr Bay Colony, DE 19939

On Saturday evening, October 7th, the Indian River (80), Dagsboro (73), Millsboro (83), Bethany Beach (70) volunteer fire companies were alerted to assist the Millville (84) Volunteer Fire Company with a water rescue priority 1 incident.  Additional emergency alerts included the Sussex County Paramedics, the United States Coast Guard marine and aviation units, the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit, and the DNREC Marine Police.

It was reported that a white center console style boat in the Black Water Creek area was afloat and unsure if anyone was in the boat.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Rescue 80 and Utility 80-8 with 80 Marine 1 from the Oak Orchard area, Brush 80-0 and 80 Marine 2 from the Long Neck area as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response units responded to the Pot Nets Bayside Marina for launching assignments.

Assignments included to assist Millville’s Incident Command with specific search pattern assignments from area between Bay Colony to Dogwood Acres, Whites Creek, Indian River Bay from Paradise Grill to areas on the other side of the bay.  Both aviation units were utilized to perform specific grid search assignments until weather conditions deteriorated. Emergency response units were directed to return to launch site and the mission was assigned to the United States Coast Guard – Indian River Inlet Squadron.

The Delaware State Fire Police assisted with traffic control and closure of the marina area for the duration of the incident.

Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following links:

(1) WRDE - Coast Guard searching for someone missing from boat in the Indian River Bay - https://www.wrde.com/news/coast-guard-searching-for-someone-missing-from-boat-in-the-indian-river-bay/article_d759cd8e-657c-11ee-bdf3-f37299baf0e1.html

(2)  WRDE - Update Missing Boater Presumed Dead - https://www.wrde.com/news/update-missing-boater-presumed-dead/article_d759cd8e-657c-11ee-bdf3-f37299baf0e1.html#tncms-source=block-behavioral

(3)  Delaware Online – News-Journal – Updated (10/12/2023) https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/10/12/body-found-indian-river-identified-matthew-laudermilch-annville-pennsylvania/71154756007/

Police identify boater found in Indian River on Sunday as Pennsylvania man

Shannon Marvel McNaught - Delaware News Journal

The boater found Sunday in the Indian River near Dagsboro has been identified as 47-year-old Matthew Laudermilch of Annville, Pennsylvania.

An unmanned boat with the engine running was found in the area of Blackwater Creek around 2 p.m. Saturday, according to Delaware State Police. Delaware Natural Resources Fish & Wildlife Police, the Coast Guard, state police and numerous fire departments searched the area until 11 p.m., when the search was suspended due to limited visibility, a Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control spokesman said.

Laudermilch's body was located in the Indian River after the search resumed Sunday morning, at about 7:20 a.m.

His body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of his death.

According to State Police Sgt. India Sturgis, there "doesn't appear to be any suspicious circumstances."