A search by Hay River and Fort Resolution RCMP, for a missing man travelling by kayak, has ended with the recovery of the deceased on Great Slave Lake.
At approximately 9:30 am on August 7th, Hay River RCMP received a call advising a man travelling by kayak on the Great Slave Lake had not checked in with family members as planned. Together with Fort Resolution RCMP they organized a search engaging partners Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), Trenton, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA), Hay River.
The search centred on the southern shore of Great Slave Lake, believed to be the last known location of kayaker. At approximately 6:00 pm, an overturned kayak was spotted by CCGA members. Search and Rescue technicians onboard RCAF's CC130 Hercules spotted the deceased a distance from the kayak. RCMP and CCGA members retrieved the deceased male and the kayak.
The deceased was transported to Hay River, where NWT Coroner Services received the deceased. A post mortem examination has been ordered by the NWT Coroner Services. RCMP are assisting the Office of the Chief Coroner with a coroner's investigation.
"It is with sadness we report the recovery of the deceased on Great Slave Lake. Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased man" states Sgt Ken Beard, Acting RCMP South District Officer.
RCMP thanks their partner agencies, JRCC, RCAF and CCGA for their assistance with the search and recovery effort.
"The Great Slave Lake is large and can be challenging to search. We can't thank our partners enough. We value the partnerships we have in the North and their support in searches in our vast Territory" adds Sgt Ken Beard.