Full Notification

On 02-13-16 at approximately 2238 hours the Swanton Village Police Department responded to a Missing Persons complaint.

It was reported that William Fournier age 23, of Swanton, had been ice fishing with friends in the area of Campbell’s Bay in Swanton.

At approximately 1900 hours he left the shanty that he and friends were using. Several friends drove to Campbell’s bay Rd and Mr. Founier drove west towards Alburgh.

At approximately 2238 hours he was reported missing to the Swanton PD when the family was unable to establish his whereabouts.

Swanton PD, Swanton Fire Department, Missisquoi Valley Rescue, The Vermont State Police, Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department and The US Border Patrol responded to the areas attempting to search for Mr. Fournier. The Swanton PD attempted to locate Mr. Fournier’s location through his cell phone but was unsuccessful. The cell phone towers were unable to locate a signal from Mr. Fournier’s phone. Border Patrol officers on scene called in their helicopter. A short time after the helicopter arrived the Fournier vehicle was located approximately a mile west of Campbell’s Bay. The helicopter was equipped with heat detection technology ( FLIR) this technology was unable to locate a heat source near the truck or in the extended area around the truck. Electronic flares were positioned around the vehicle which was mostly submerged at that time. Due to safety concerns the search was suspended until daylight.

When the search resumed, Vermont State Troopers and Vermont Fish and Game officers located Mr. Fournier on the ice approximately 100 to 150 yards from his vehicle.