A North Bay man is dead after a boating accident Saturday.
At approximately 12:20 p.m., OPP Sudbury/Noelville/Warren officers, as well as emergency medical services responded to a boating emergency on the Nepewassi River south of Hagar, in the Municipality of Markstay-Warren.
The investigation revealed that two men had been hunting duck when their canoe capsized. One man, Marc-Andre Bouffard, 23, of Warren, managed to swim to shore. He was examined by EMS and released at the scene.
The other man, Jeremie Ouellet, 23, of North Bay, was found by police, in the water at approximately 11 a.m. Sunday morning.
Neither man was wearing a life jacket.
Involved in the search efforts was the OPP Snowmobile-ATV-Vessel-Enforcement Unit, the OPP Canine Unit, the OPP Emergency Response Team, the OPP Aviation Service Helicopter and the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit.
Officers would like to remind boaters that a life jacket 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 flotation 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 life jacket gives you thermal protection and also keeps you buoyant.
