Man missing in Milwaukee River in Thiensville | Ozaukee Co. News

THIENSVILLE — Firefighters, dive teams and rescuers from more than eight fire departments searched Wednesday evening for a man in distress in the Milwaukee River near the Thiensville Village Park Dam, but as the sun set, they had not located it.

Capt. Joel Deutsch of the South Ozaukee Fire Department said his department received a call around 6:30 p.m. about a man in the water. With the help of dive teams from the Port Washington and Milwaukee fire departments, they conducted search operations for more than an hour but did not locate him, Deutsch said at a conference press release around 9:30 p.m. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources also provides assistance to SOFD.

Deutsch said that due to dangerous conditions at the low-head dam, researchers could not enter the water. He said the location below the dam created a “boiling effect” causing dangerous turbulence. Boats roamed the waters below the dam, while drones were used above.

The river water was high due to recent heavy rains. And even as the researchers were aboard the boats, dark clouds rolled in and dumped even heavier rain.

While initial reports were of a dog also in the water, Deutsch said he couldn't answer that question and the investigation was still ongoing. He would only say that they received several 911 calls coming from the area from the mother of a male in distress in the water.

Deutsch said darkness hampered the search and it was called off for the night, but they would continue to have firefighters on scene throughout the night.

Deutsch said he did not know the man's identity.