Female canoeist drowns on Lake Couchiching

RAMARA, TWP. — The first boating fatality of the seaso occurred Sunday, after a pair of female conoeists overturned in Lake Couchiching.

A North York woman, who drown Sunday while canoeing, was not wearing a life jacket, say police.

Provincial police say that on May 20, 2018, at abut noon emergency crews responded to the accident.

A preliminary investigation reveals the two females were in a canoe that overturned approximately 100 metres from the shore of Lake Couchiching.

Both females were not wearing their Personal Flotation Devices (PFD).

As a result, County of Simcoe Paramedic Services (CSPS) paramedics took a 25-year-old North York woman to an Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.

She was pronounced deceased at hospital.

The second person was cleared medically at the scene, however she attended the hospital on her own.

Police are withholding the name of the victim pending next of kin notifications and a post mortem.

Orillia OPP Marine Unit, Rama Police Service, Rama Emergency Medical Services, CSPS, Orillia Fire Department, Rama Fire, Ramara Fire and Rescue all assisted with the rescue and recovery.

The Orillia OPP would like to remind the public to wear their Personal Floatation Devices at all times when on the water. PFDs will only work if they are worn.

Members of the Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or visit Crime Stoppers at: www.crimestopperssdm.com or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).