Missing Winona County Man Search Focuses on Mississippi River
Fountain City, WI (KROC-AM News) - Authorities in western Wisconsin have released additional details concerning a missing-persons investigation involving a Winona County man.
New Details in Missing Person Investigation
The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office yesterday afternoon issued an alert requesting the public's help in locating 60-year-old Brian Daley of Utica. At that time, officials stated that his pontoon boat had been found tied off along an island in the backwaters on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River at Merrick State Park near Fountain City.
What Officials Learned About the Pontoon Boat
Since then, the Sheriff's Office has learned that another boater came upon the pontoon boat floating unattended in the main channel of the Mississippi River. That individual then secured the pontoon boat near the shoreline at Merrick State Park.
Search Shifts to Underwater Operations
The Buffalo County Sheriff says, based on the new information, the search operation has transitioned its primary focus to underwater search efforts using side-scan sonar systems and remotely operated vehicles. It remains a large-scale, multi-agency operation with assistance from the Winona County Sheriff's Office, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, along with multiple local fire departments and law enforcement agencies.
At this time, officials are not requesting volunteers or members of the public to participate in the search operations.
How the Public Can Help
Anyone who observes anything unusual or who may have information related to Brian Daley's disappearance is urged to contact the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin or the Winona County Sheriff's Office at 507-457-6368.
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Gallery Credit: Ken Hayes
