The search for a missing rowing student in a central Florida lake came to a tragic end Friday afternoon after dive teams located and recovered the middle school boy’s body. After a day-long search, Orlando Fire Department spokeswoman Jennifer DeSandis said the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit located the North Orlando Rowing student missing in Fairview Lake around 5:15 p.m. His identity has not been released. “On behalf of the Orlando Fire Department and all first responders on the scene, our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy,” DeSantis said. The boy went missing on the lake Thursday afternoon after a boat carrying five North Orlando Rowing students capsized after being struck by lightning during practice. According to FOX 35 in Orlando, the students are high school students. STRIKING STUDENT, 1 INJURED IN ORLANDO ROWING BOAT CAPTURED AFTER LIGHTNING Orlando first responders continue to search for a missing paddler on Fairview Lake after a lightning strike Thursday afternoon. (Deborah Choe/FOX 35) Another student was injured in the walkout and taken to AdventHealth Orlando in unknown condition. The three remaining students were evaluated at the scene and released. DeSantis said several agencies in the Orlando area assisted in the rescue and recovery operation, including Orlando police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Fire Rescue and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. An Orlando police officer walks toward a firefighter as first responders search for a paddler who went missing after lightning struck Lake Fairview. (WOFL) The North Orlando Rowing Club, described as a nonprofit organization serving boys and girls ages 12 to 18, released the following statement Friday on Facebook: “As mentioned, we have learned that we have lost one of our rowers in this tragic accident. The NOR family is heartbroken and devastated. We are working together to support the family and our rowing family. We will have no further comment at this time and ask the media and the community to give us time to process.” VIDEO SHOWS LIGHTNING STRIKES WASHINGTON MEMORIAL FILE – Members of the Vesper Rowing Club line up to compete in the 2012 National Rowing Championships on the Cooper River in Cherry Hill, NJ on July 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Camden Courier-Post, Jose F. Moreno) Orlando Rowing Club – Dragon Boat Club, an organization that also practices at Lake Fairview, said it will hold a vigil at 8 a.m. Saturday in lieu of practice as a show of solidarity. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP According to the National Weather Service, the boy’s death marks the third lightning-related death in Florida this year and the 18th in the nation.
