NEED TO KNOW
A 53-year-old father and his 7-year-old son were found dead in Lake Erie after a canoe outing on Monday, May 11
Ontario Provincial Police told PEOPLE the pair were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident
Officials have since located the missing canoe
The bodies of a 53-year-old father and his 7-year-old son were recovered from Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region Sgt. Ed Sanchuk announced in a video shared on social media just before 9 p.m. local time on Monday, May 11, that the father and son, from Norfolk County, were “located deceased in the waters of Lake Erie after being reported overdue.”
Sanchuk said that shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday, members of the OPP, along with the Canadian Coast Guard’s Port Dover station, responded to a report of overdue boaters near Townline Street in St. Williams, a rural community near Long Point.
While emergency crews responded to the area, the adult and child were located by a passing boater approximately two nautical miles from shore. “The Canadian Coast Guard attended and recovered both individuals from the water,” Sanchuk said.
A coast guard spokesperson told PEOPLE, “While Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton (JRCC) did task two assets to search for two overdue individuals, they were stood down after the two people were located.”
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Sanchuk told PEOPLE that both the father and son were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. He said investigators have since located the canoe from which the pair departed.
“This remains an active investigation being conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police, and all findings are being carefully reviewed,” the sergeant told PEOPLE. “In keeping with a victim-centred approach — and out of respect for the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident — the OPP will not be releasing the names of the deceased.”
Canadian Coast Guard vessel
Credit: Getty
Speaking with CTV News, Sanchuk said boating on Lake Erie at this time of year brings added risks, including cold water temperatures.
“I did speak to the Canadian Coast Guard, and the water was between seven and 10 degrees [Celsius] yesterday,” Sanchuk said on Tuesday, May 12. “So again, it really comes down to the fact that if you are going to venture out on the water, make sure that you do have warm clothing, make sure you have a plan in place. More importantly, though, make sure you let somebody know when you’re coming back.”
Sanchuk added that Monday’s tragedy has been felt across the region.
“In smaller communities, everyone feels the loss, especially when a child is involved,” he told CTV News. “I was speaking to some of the first responders, one of the paramedics last night and early this morning, and they know who this young boy is. And again, it affects everyone.”
In his video, Sanchuk added, “I just wanted to take this opportunity to send out our deepest and sincerest condolences to all family members and friends who are affected by this tragedy. As a father, I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
Members of the OPP Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement Team are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Read the original article on People