Firefighters locate drowning victim on Cedar River

UPDATE: The body believed to be that of a man who drowned Saturday in the Cedar River was recovered late this morning, authorities said.

Firefighters in one of two rescue boats located the body around 11:20 a.m. in the water near the eastern shoreline, about 250 yards downstream from the boat ramp off Old River Road SW. Family members were at the scene and were seen exchanging hugs.

Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said the body would be taken by ambulance to St. Luke's Hospital for positive identification. He said the man's name would be released following identification.

Rescue teams had been searching the river since the 28-year-old Latino man went missing in the water around 7 p.m. Saturday. Witnesses said the man was attempting to cross the river from the east side to the west side near the boat ramp.