Tuesday, June 17, 2003

ONE HOUR IN COLD WATER AFTER CANOE CAPSIZES
Batchawana Bay, Ont.,

A Sault Ste. Marie man was taken to Sault and Area Hospital after spending about one hour clinging to an overturned canoe in Batchawana Bay last night.

At about 7:45 p.m. a man walking his dog on Highway 17 in Batchawana heard the cries for help coming from the water. He saw a man in the water hanging onto an overturned canoe. Batchawana Fire and Rescue, an ambulance and the Sault Ste. Marie OPP were called to the scene.

Two area men jumped into a boat at the Sunset Inn and rescued the man from the water. The 50-year-old man was transported to Sault and Area Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia and released.

This investigation has determined that the man and his dog were traveling from the village of Batchawana to a tourist camp on the other side of Batchawana Bay. His dog, a black lab, was also in the canoe with him. At some point in the journey the dog jumped on the side of the canoe and caused the vessel to capsize. The man hung onto the canoe for about one hour until he was rescued.

The canoeist has been identified as 50-year-old William Porter of Sault Ste. Marie.


CHARGES LAID RE: MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL
Goulais River

The Sault O.P.P. has laid charges in an on-going investigation into damage done to the playing fields at Mountain View School at Goulais River.

On June 7, police responded to a call reporting that someone had gone through the school play yard, soccer and baseball fields in a motor vehicle causing substantial damage estimated at over $1,000.

The O.P.P. has charged Benjamin Jonah, age 19, of Sault Ste. Marie with mischief over $5,000. He is to appear in provincial court on July 7.