HAMILTON, Ohio — The body of a 47-year-old Dayton man was recovered from the Great Miami River near the dam in Hamilton on Thursday, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office. Sheriff Richard K. Jones reported that the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 11:42 a.m. on August 20 from a person who reported seeing what appeared to be a body in the river. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Services (ERS) Team arrived and recovered the deceased individual. The body was turned over to the Butler County Coroner’s Office, who has identified the man as Eric Blakley, 47, of Dayton. The preliminary cause of death is drowning, and the preliminary manner of death is accidental. An autopsy was conducted. The official time of death is listed as 1:11 p.m. Sheriff Jones issued a safety reminder following the recovery: “Never underestimate the power of moving water. The river may look calm on the surface, but strong currents and undertows can quickly pull a person under and make it extremely difficult to recover. If you are going to be in or around the river, always wear a properly fitted life jacket. It can save your life.” The Butler County Sheriff’s Office ERS Team is specially trained for water-related emergencies, including swift-water operations and recovery in strong currents.

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(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Sheriff's Office)