A paddleboarder has died after getting into trouble on Lake Simcoe during a severe thunderstorm late Wednesday afternoon.
South Simcoe Police (SSP) say they were called just after 5:10 p.m. after reports a man on a paddleboard was in distress on Lake Simcoe near Mapleview Drive in Innisfil.
According to police, at the time of the incident, weather conditions had deteriorated rapidly, with heavy rain and strong winds creating hazardous conditions on the water. There was concern the man had become stranded and was unable to safely return to shore.
At around 5:35 p.m., members of the SSP Marine Unit, assisted by the York Regional Police Marine Unit, launched an extensive search of the area.
During the search, police say the paddleboard was located, prompting officers to expand their search efforts from that location. The York Regional Police helicopter also assisted with the search.
Then at around 8 p.m., the York Regional Police helicopter located the body of a 38-year-old male in the water.
Police say they determined the man was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
"The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing. The identity of the deceased will not be released out of respect for the family's privacy," police stated in a news release.
