Male Who Perished in Ice Mishap Identified

(Manitoulin, Ont.) – On Sunday April 2, 2006 at approximately 6:00 AM, a male was operating a green All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on the ice about 200 meters off the shore from Maple Point, in Billings Township, about 40 kms west of Little Current. The male was traveling alone on his ATV when it plunged through the ice along with the operator. At approximately 6:30 AM, a resident of Maple Point heard the male’s cries for help and called the Billings & Aundeck Omni Kaaning Fire Depts., along with the Manitoulin OPP for assistance.

The Search and Rescue coordination center was notified and they were able to dispatch a helicopter from the United States Coast Guard to assist. When rescuers arrived on the scene, sadly the male had succumbed to the icy water. He was later pronounced dead by the coroner.

Manitoulin OPP conducted an investigation into the identity of the male and asked for the public’s assistance as the identity of the deceased man was unknown to police at the time. With the media’s assistance police received a telephone call, which lead to the identity of the male.

He has been identified as David Andrew BOYER age 28 of the Aundeck Omin Kaaning First Nation. A post mortem examination is being conducted today at Sudbury Laurentian Hospital to determine the actual cause of death.

The OPP Underwater Search & Recovery Unit were called to attend to retrieve the submerged ATV. The investigating officer is Sgt. Richard Rusticus.