Peggys Cove search ends for Ontario man swept into ocean

A 25-year-old man from Ontario is missing after being swept into the ocean at Peggys Cove on Wednesday.

Halifax RCMP said the man was standing on the rocks with a female companion when a large wave swept him into the ocean at approximately 12:15 p.m.

Police, paramedics and firefighters scrambled to the scene, as well as a Cormorant helicopter and an Aurora aircraft dispatched by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax. A lobster boat also patrolled the shoreline before search and rescue operations ended at 6 p.m.

The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team will be deployed once sea conditions permit, said police.

The identity of the man has not been disclosed.

RCMP Cpl. Greg Church said the call came in from witnesses at the nearby Sou'Wester Restaurant, who said they saw someone fall into the water.

Mark Quibell was working in the Sou'Wester Restaurant's gift shop when the incident happened.

"Someone came in and said someone fell in the water," he said.

Staff called 911, grabbed life preservers and ropes and raced to the scene.

"Unfortunately when I got there, there was nobody to be seen," said Quibell.

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