A 25-year-old Ontario man was swept out into the Atlantic Ocean from the rocky edges of Peggy's Cove Wednesday while his girlfriend watched in horror.
RCMP were called around 12:15 p.m. after someone eating at the Sou'Wester Restaurant and Gift Shop learned what had happened.
Coast Guard ships, a search-and-rescue helicopter, fishing boats and police were unable to find the man. The RCMP called off their search at 6 p.m.
Mark Quibell, manager of the Sou'Wester Restaurant, said he rushed out to try and help.
“The girl was standing there with her dog, saying her boyfriend was standing on one of the black rocks and a big wave came up. And next thing she knew, he was gone under the water,” Quibell said.
“She said she could see him for maybe a minute or two and then after that she lost sight of him,” he added.
Quibell said the man had been standing in an area that signs warn to avoid.
Quibell said the weather was poor when it happened. “The waves were really high and it was really foggy so it made it really hard to see.”
RCMP Cpl. Greg Church said there have been similar incidents at the popular tourist destination over the years, but he hasn't encountered one since he joined the Halifax District Mounties seven years ago.
"The risk is always there,” he said. “It's a risky area to sightsee in.”
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV Atlantic
