RESERVOIR SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING MAN

(Finksburg, MD) – The search is continuing late this afternoon in a Carroll County reservoir for a man who disappeared under the surface yesterday while swimming with friends.

Police and rescue personnel are continuing their search for Justin D. Oliver, 20, of the 4900-block of Wilkens Avenue, Catonsville, Md. He has not been located as of 5:00 p.m. today.

Maryland State Police at the Westminster Barracks were called at 5:43 p.m. yesterday to respond to the section of Liberty Reservoir off Deer Park Road near the Carroll/Baltimore County line. Troopers arrived with members of the Gamber Volunteer Fire Department and were told three friends had been jumping into the reservoir from rocks located in an area about one-half mile from the road. Two of the friends decided to swim across a cove about 100 yards wide. One of them made it across. The other, identified as Oliver, said he was having difficulty making it across and was turning back.

On his way back to shore, his friends said Oliver disappeared under the water. Both friends swam into the area to search for him, but were unable to find him and notified authorities.

A search of the reservoir was launched last night and continued throughout the evening. It included divers from the Gamber Volunteer Fire Department and searchers from the Maryland State Police, a helicopter from the State Police Aviation Command, and search dogs from Mason Dixon Search and Rescue.

Maryland State Police, Baltimore Police Department, and Gamber VFD dive teams searched the reservoir area throughout the day today. They were assisted by search dogs from Mason Dixon Search and Rescue and the Natural Resources Police, as well as personnel from the Baltimore Public Works Department and other Carroll County fire departments, all of whom were directed by a Maryland State Police professional search coordinator.

The search is expected to continue until this evening, when it will be suspended. State Police and search teams are expected to return with additional dive teams to continue the search tomorrow morning.