On Saturday, October 15, at approximately 3:42 p.m., officers of the Noelville OPP were notified of a possible drowning on Lower Sturgeon Lake in French River.
Police investigation revealed that two males were fishing in a small boat when it capsized, sending them both in the water. Upon police arrival, one male was located on the shore without any vital signs. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim, Joceyln Michaud, 69 years old, of French River, Ontario was not wearing a lifejacket or PFD at the time of the incident.
The Noelville OPP would like everyone heading out on the waterways to reflect upon the numerous tragic and preventable deaths and injuries that occur on Ontario’s lakes and rivers, due to careless behaviour, every year. This time of year, the water temperatures are much cooler and can cause hypothermia in a matter of seconds.
For the outdoor enthusiasts, hunters heading to their hunt camp, check the load capacity of your boat. Take a second trip, if necessary, to avoid overloading your boat. Distribute the load evenly so that your vessel is not prone to tipping or taking on water.
A big wake can easily upset a smaller craft and can cause property damage along shorelines. Boating restriction regulations limit speed to 10 km/hour when operating within 30 meters of shore.
