Fish Lake canoe trip turns tragic

A 27-year-old Winnipeg man has died after his rented canoe capsized last Thursday in Fish Lake.

A 27-year-old Winnipeg man has died after his rented canoe capsized last Thursday in Fish Lake.

The territory’s coroner has identified the man as Matthew MacIntyre.

RCMP say MacIntyre was canoeing with a friend, also 27 and from Winnipeg, when wind and rough water caused the boat to capsize.

Both men were wearing life jackets at the time but were unable to stay with their boat and became separated.

RCMP spokesperson Don Rogers said today the other man, whose name was not released, was able to swim to a nearby island and start a fire to get warm.

On Friday morning, he swam from the island to shore and called police.

An RCMP plane was sent to fly over the area and spotted MacIntyre’s body.

“These men appeared to be well-prepared,” Rogers said, adding that at this time of year, “hypothermia is a real concern.”