On Saturday night, two people died as a result of a personal watercraft incident, report the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the OPP. An investigation is now underway regarding the fatal marine collision that was reported at approximately 10:16 p.m. on Aug. 3 on the Ottawa River.
A personal watercraft collided with rocks near Dow Island in the Town of Petawawa, and as a result two people were pronounced deceased at the scene. The deceased have been identified as 20-year-old Zachary Lapointe of Pembroke, and 25-year-old Tiffany Burgess of the Town of Petawawa.
The Town of Petawawa Fire Department, Garrison Petawawa Military Police, Garrison Petawawa Fire Department, County of Renfrew Paramedics Services, and the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP Marine Unit assisted at the scene.
P/C John Kirbyson is the investigating officer. The investigation is continuing.
Officers with the Renfrew Detachment of the OPP are investigating two unrelated deaths that occurred in the area, one in the early evening of August 2 near Matawatchan, the other in the early morning hours on August 3 in Horton Township.
On Saturday evening, Aug. 2, OPP officers and paramedics attended an address on Matawanooka Line in the Township of Greater Madawaska. A 65-year-old man from Ottawa was eating food at a campfire when he began to choke. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Sunday, Aug. 3 at approximately 2 a.m., officers responded to a report of two campers who had fallen down an embankment in Horton Township. Police, fire and paramedics attended and assisted a 20-year-old male who had fallen approximately 35 feet and suffered minor injuries. A 24-year-old female was found deceased down the embankment.
The Ontario Coroners Office is leading both investigations, assisted by the OPP.
