The family of a man who has been missing since falling off a cruise ship in Lake Ontario over the weekend is raising questions about his disappearance.
Keith White, 34, fell off the 'Northern Spirit’ at around 7:40 p.m. on Saturday during a party that featured dinner, DJs and a live band.
At first White’s girlfriend was able to keep an eye on him as kept afloat in the frigid waters, but a short time later he vanished.
In the aftermath of the incident several passengers on board the ship then questioned why a rescue boat that was on board was not deployed, however the CEO of the company that operates ‘The Northern Spirit’ did tell CP24 that “protocol was followed.”
In a statement released to CP24 on Monday, the family said they are confused about why it "appears nothing was done to assist" their loved one in a "timely manner."
“Keith was a very healthy fit man and was a certified lifeguard and we look forward to the investigation determining how his location in the water was lost so quickly in calm water in daylight,” the statement said. “The anguish we feel right now is sharpened by a sense of mystery about how something like this could happen. We look forward to answers, and, if required, a commitment for change in the industry to ensure no other family has to endure this.”
White worked at an automotive seat manufacturer in London and was on the ‘Northern Spirit’ with his girlfriend and another couple after flying into the city on a friend’s plane earlier in the day.
Speaking with CTV News on Monday, White’s girlfriend Michelle Rodrigues said that Keith was leaning over the rails of the ship to get a better look at the water when he lost balance and fell from the three-storey deck.
“That’s when I could see him moving his head trying to figure out ‘where am I?’ and ‘where am I going to go?’ I probably had my eye on him for 10 minutes and then I blinked and he was gone,” Rodrigues said through tears. “I am still convinced that he is alive and he is somewhere. For me going to shore (on Saturday) I thought he was going to be there.”
White ‘Truly embraced living,’ family says
Following White’s disappearance several boats from the Toronto Police Marine unit were called to the scene to look for the man, however the search was put on hold after darkness set in a few hours later.
Though police continue to search an area about two kilometres south of the Humber River where White was last seen, the effort has become a recovery mission.
In their statement, White’s family reflected on the life that Keith lived, noting that he “truly embraced living to the fullest” and will be “deeply and truly missed.”
“On an average day, you’d find him working long hours, training hard in the gym, playing volleyball, swimming in his pool, but always his adventures included his friends and family,” the statement said. “He was the person everyone loved being around, and the person that could make anyone laugh.”
The temperature in Lake Ontario was about 9 C at the time White disappeared. At that temperature, Hypothermia can set in within 10 minutes.
Two TSB investigators to review incident
Two investigators with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada will begin to examine the incident Tuesday.
According to a representative, the investigation will consist of three phases – a field phase to gather evidence, an examination phase to evaluate the information secured, and finally a report phase to make the information public.
Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.
