Police say one local man lost his life while the other occupant of the boat managed to escape to safety after their canoe capsized while duck hunting.
Saturday afternoon, members of the Sudbury/Noelville/Warren Detachment of the OPP, as well as Emergency Medical Services responded to an incident on the Nepewassi River south of Hagar, in the Municipality of Markstay-Warren, Ontario.
The investigation revealed that two men had been duck hunting when their canoe capsized.
One male, Marc-Andre Bouffard, 23, of Warren, Ontario managed to swim to shore. He was examined by EMS and released at the scene.
The other male, 23-year-old Jeremie Ouellet of North Bay was located by police deceased in the water at approximately 11:00am Sunday.
The investigation reveals neither was wearing a life jacket.
Involved in the search efforts were the OPP Snowmobile-ATV-Vessel-Enforcement (S.A.V. E.) unit, the OPP Canine (K-9) unit, the OPP Emergency Response Team, the OPP Aviation Service Helicopter and the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU).
Officers would like to remind boaters that a lifejacket is your best defence against cold-water shock. Research shows that unexpected immersion in cold water is a serious risk to life if a boater is not wearing a floatation device. This is true despite the boater’s experience, closeness to shore, and even swimming ability.
A sudden fall into cold water can seriously affect breathing, nerves, and muscle strength. A lifejacket gives you thermal protection and also keeps you buoyant.
