THIENSVILLE, Wisc. — The Southern Ozaukee Fire Department reports that a body has been recovered after the search for a man in distress out on the Milwaukee River near Thiensville Village Park.
The victim has been identified as Aleksandr 'Alex' Melnikov, 52.
Several 911 calls came for reports of a man in distress on the Milwaukee River near the Thiensville Dam just after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday June 5.
Southern Ozaukee County Fire Captain Joel Deutsch said that only the man was involved in the situation. The Thiensville Police Department says Melnikov went into the water to retrieve his dog, Kobe, who had been swept downriver and over the Village Park dam.
Kobe is still missing.
Due to the dangers of the dam and rising waters, divers were unable to enter the water on Wednesday.
"The speed of the water makes the search more difficult, as well as the location, being at the dam," said Deutsch. "It creates a boil effect which makes it very difficult and has turbulent waters in the area."
Eight agencies were involved in the search.
Drones could be seen flying over to try and locate Melnikov.
The darkness and intense rain caused the search to end early on the river Wednesday night.
Overnight, the fire department monitored the river in case of any signs.
Search crews plan to get back out on the river early Thursday morning. They'll continue focusing on the dam and just south of the river.
Firefighters also shut down part of the bridge over Mequon Road, as MFD's boat and dive team worked to locate a person reportedly "drowning."
TMJ4's crew on the scene also observed Cedarburg Dive and Rescue, the Wisconsin DNR, and the Mequon Police Department on scene as well.
VIDEO: A look at the scene at the Mequon Road bridge downriver from Village Park
According to the Southern Ozaukee Fire Department, the search for the man in distress continued into Friday, June 7. During the search, a body of a man was recovered from the river. He was then transported to the Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy. The man has not yet been identified.
The Southern Ozaukee Fire Department states, "We are deeply saddened by this tragic situation, and we are thinking of the family and those who knew the victim," and reminds the public to use caution around bodies of water, especially when the water levels are high because the speed of the water increases.
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