Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department continues to search for a man who was overturned in an inflatable inner tube into the rapids near Gorge Metro Parks Saturday night.

Multiple reports were made to the Summit County emergency dispatch center that Patrick Cross and his five-year-old son, Braxton Cross, had been overturned and had fallen into the rapids.

The body of Braxton Cross was recovered in the Cuyahoga River early Sunday morning and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department responded to the scene with a water rescue unit, but the search for Patrick Cross was suspended around 10 p.m. Sunday due to hazardous water conditions.

The search entered its third day after Sunday night’s search was once again suspended.

Cuyahoga Falls Fire Chief Chris Martin spoke at a press conference on Monday, providing updates.

“Our goals for today are to re-search the areas that we searched yesterday to see what impact the overnight has had on the river and our conditions for our ability to search,” he said. 

Martin noted that there are still hazards affecting their ability to search, such as debris from the storm.

“We continue to aggressively search the areas of the river that we are able to,” Martin said. “All members operating on the scene are highly trained in water searches, and most are swift water technicians.” 

The search for Patrick Cross is still ongoing.

Anthony Leonardi is News Director. Contact him at [email protected].