Espanola OPP investigate presumed drowning Updated

OPP News Release

********************

Espanola – Ontario Provincial Police underwater recovery members recovered the remains of the snowmobile operator from lake Panage at approximately 12:30 p.m. this date.

He has been identified as 24 year old Christopher Charlebois of Espanola.

A post mortem is scheduled for Monday in Sudbury.

******

Espanola - At 12:30 a.m. on March 1st, 2008, members of the Espanola OPP Detachment were advised that a snowmobile had gone through the ice on Lake Penache, Truman Township sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on February 29th, 2008.

Preliminary investigation reveals that two motorized snow vehicles, each carrying two people, were travelling on Lake Penache to West Bay area. As they approached the narrows (just southwest of Star Lake), the first snow vehicle made it across the open water safely. The second snow vehicle attempted to avoid the open water but failed to do so. The passenger, 22-year-old male, made it out of the water but unfortunately, the 25-year-old male driver didn’t and he is presumed drowned.

No names are being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

An OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is presently enroute to the scene.

At the time of the incident, it was snowing lightly but the visibility was good. Weather is not considered to be a factor.

The investigation is continuing.

********************