The OPP Underwater Search & Recovery Unit have located the body of a missing boater in the waters of the North Channel.
Just after 3 p.m. July 12 Manitoulin OPP received a call from family members of a 42-year-old male who was operating a jet ski and went missing in the waters of the North Channel near Honora Bay, about 12 kilometres west of Little Current.
Ferdinand Lizares was a about a kilometre from shore when he had a mishap and ended up in the water. Family members and cottage owners attempted to locate him, but were unsuccessful.
Manitoulin OPP officers were dispatched to the scene along with the Manitoulin OPP Marine Unit vessel. A search was conducted with the assistance of the UCCM Tribal Police vessel, and the Ministry of Natural Resources vessel. The OPP helicopter Unit was dispatched and conducted an aerial search along with the Coast Guard helicopter from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. Members of the OPP Emergency Response Team and the North Shore Search and Rescue Team conducted a shore line search of the area. The OPP Underwater Search & Recovery Unit was also dispatched to attend from their base in Orillia.
The search resumed on Monday and continued on Tuesday. Around 11:30 a.m. members of the OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit located the body of the missing boater. The local coroner ordered a post mortem examination for July 15 in Sudbury to determine the exact cause of death. Lizares was a Lively resident.
Members of Manitoulin OPP are continuing their investigation.
