Missing swimmer's body recovered from Ottawa River

Search crews have recovered the body of a man who jumped off the Prince of Wales Bridge on Sunday but didn't resurface.

Ottawa police said the body of the 26-year-old man from London, Ont.,was discovered late Sunday night.

• Search underway for missing swimmer who jumped off Prince of Wales Bridge

Paramedics said dispatchers got a 911 call shortly after 4 p.m. about a group of peoplejumping into the river from the old train bridge,which is west of the national capital's downtown and crosses the riverinto Quebec.

One of the swimmers hit the water, surfaced momentarily, and then disappeared, said police.

Police marine units,the Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Fire Services and the Gatineau, Que., fire department were all involved in the search Sunday.

Ongoing safety concerns

This is the second death of a swimmer who had jumpedoff the bridge in less than a year.

A14-year-old boy died after he jumped into the waterfrom thebridge last summer.

For years the bridge has been a safety hazard, police say.

"That bridge has seen numerous tragedies," said Const. T.J. Jellinekwith Ottawa police's marine unit.

"We've worked really hard to really make it inaccessible to people yet unfortunately people still keep gaining access to the bridge."

He said the bridge and water may look safe and appealing as a swimming spot from the surface, butstrong currents, proximity to a hydro dam, fluctuating water levels and rocks can make it a very dangerous area.

While fencesandbarbed wire blocksaccess to the bridge from the Ottawa side, on the Gatineau, Que., side there was caution tape across the bridge Monday morning before crews were seen installing orange safety fencing.

The City of Ottawaplanstoone day convert it into a multi-use pathwayacross the river.