24 July 2023 , 16:35
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A body has been found a man who has gone missing while paddleboarding in a pond behind Barack Obama's $12million estate in plush Martha's Vineyard
A massive rescue operation involving multiple agencies took place in an effort to locate the 43-year-old man.
His paddle board and hat were recovered Sunday - and his body was found in the eight-foot-deep waters approximately 100 feet away from shore at 10am Monday.
The distressing incident unfolded at approximately 7.46pm Sunday in the area of Turkeyland Cove, in Edgartown, Massachusetts when police and fire agencies received a distress call about a male paddleboarder in distress.
It used to be owned by Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck (Realtor.com)The location is behind former US President Barack Obama and his family's waterfront house situated on nearly 30 acres on Martha's Vineyard – an affluent island located south of Cape Cod.
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According to witnesses, the man appeared to struggle to remain on the surface of the water before disappearing beneath the surface, failing to resurface again.
During the incident, there was another paddleboarder present on the pond with the missing man, who witnessed the unsettling event unfold before their eyes.
The individual has not been identified, and further details about the victim have not been immediately disclosed.
Authorities immediately initiated a rescue operation in their efforts to locate the missing paddleboarder.
Edgartown Fire and all other island fire departments, in collaboration with local and state police, the Dukes County Sheriff's Department, and the US Coast Guard are working together to bring the man to safety.
An egret patiently fishes in Edgartown Great Pond in Martha's Vineyard (Getty Images)Edgartown Police said in a tweet: "EPD is assisting multiple agencies searching for a missing adult male paddle boarder in Edgartown Great Pond.
"Please remain away from this area and allow emergency responders to perform their search."
Authorities are treating it as a rescue operation in the hope of finding the missing man alive and well.
Massachusetts State Police said this morning: "After several hours of searching last night, efforts to locate the missing paddle boarder were unsuccessful and the operation was paused to allow dive teams, flight crews, and other responders to re-equip and assess next steps.
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"Search assets are currently resuming operations at this time. The search will again include marine assets, such as divers and boat crews deploying side-scan sonar, and aerial support from MSP and USCG helicopter crews.
"Members of the MSP Underwater Recovery Unit and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are joining the agencies and units listed last night in today’s search operation."
The Edgartown Great Pond, situated on the island's south shore, has become the focal point of the search as the investigation continues.
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama greet Queen Elizabeth ll in 2011 (Getty Images)Barack Obama's family bought the Martha's Vineyard home in 2019 for $11.75million. The area is known for its picturesque beauty and recreational activities.
Officials are urging anyone with relevant information about the missing paddleboarder to come forward and assist the ongoing rescue mission.