On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at about 8 p.m., members of Frontenac OPP, along with North Frontenac Fire Rescue and Lennox and Addington Paramedic Services, responded to a marine incident on Brule Lake in North Frontenac Township. Reports indicated that a fishing vessel with four individuals on board had capsized, and one individual was unaccounted for. None of the involved individuals was wearing a life jacket, however three made it to shore while the fourth individual went beneath the water and did not resurface. The OPP’s Aviation Services attended the scene to assist in the search, however, despite an exhaustive search, police and fire were unable to locate the individual in the water and suspended the search overnight to await the arrival of the OPP’s Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU).
Shortly after 9 p.m. on July 28, 2023 the missing individual was located in the lake by members of the USRU. The 51-year-old individual from the Durham Region was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Office of the Chief Coroner is assisting with the investigation, however, no foul play is suspected.
Always choose a Canadian approved lifejacket and wear it every time you are out on the water, regardless of whether you are an avid paddler or powerboat enthusiast. Life jackets only save lives if you are wearing them.
On Sunday, July 30, 2023 shortly before 11 a.m., members of Frontenac OPP along with South Frontenac Fire Rescue and the Leeds and Grenville Paramedic Service responded to a marine collision on Little Cranberry Lake which is part of the Rideau system. Reports indicated that a vessel and a kayak had collided and the individual in the kayak had been critically injured. Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful, and a 45-year-old individual from Kawartha Lakes was pronounced deceased at the scene.
An OPP Technical Collision Investigator and a Collision Reconstructionist attended the scene, and are assisting with the investigation. The Office of the Chief Coroner is also assisting police, however, no foul play is suspect. At this time, the collision remains under investigation and no charges have been laid. This release will be updated when more information becomes available.
THE ABOVE SUBMITTED BY THE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
