Boater and his dog missing

OPP NEWS RELEASE

*************************** Local man missing after boat capsizes

BLIND RIVER - On September 9, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. police were called to the Mississaugi River falls adjacent to Highway 17 approximately 5 km west of Blind River for a report of a capsized boat.

Officers from the East Algoma OPP Blind River detachment and the Mississauga First Nation Police attended the scene.

It was learned from witnesses that a 61-year-old male was fishing with his dog in a boat on the river close to the falls when he encountered engine troubles.

The male was unsuccessful in restarting the engine before the current pulled the boat under the falls where it was swamped and sank.

Witnesses state the male and his dog were attempting to swim to shore but the current was too strong and were pulled underwater.

Other fishermen who were on the river immediately attended in their boat and tried to help the male but were unsuccessful.

The Marine Unit of the OPP were called and conducted a search of the river with negative results.

A helicopter from the Ministry of Natural Resources was in the area and conducted an aerial search of the river also with negative results.

As of Thursday morning the missing male, his dog and boat have not been located.

The OPP Helicopter Unit along with Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU) have been called and will be attending to continue the search.

The identification of the male has not been released pending recovery.

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