The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a Huntsville man after striking and killing a swimmer with his boat in Lake Rosseau last July.
Around 7 a.m. on the morning of July 25, the OPP’s Bracebridge detachment, Muskoka EMS, and the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an unresponsive man floating in the water near Shamrock Lodge Road in Port Carling, approximately 20 metres out from a dock.
EMS managed to lift the man onto a floating dock and administered life-saving measures. After no response, he was taken by ambulance to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The 48-year-old man had been staying at nearby Shamrock Lodge and had headed out for an early morning swim equipped with a visibility marker. Zavier Foyston, who was out driving his boat, collided with the man. Foyston stayed on scene, cooperating with OPP.
After a thorough investigation, the OPP announced on Wednesday that it was charging the 26-year-old Foyston with operating a vessel in a careless manner. Foyston will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on February 7.
OPP Const. Samantha Bigley said she was unaware of any civil action being brought against Foyston by the victim’s family.