Body of missing Sudbury snowmobiler recovered from lake
An underwater search and recovery unit has recovered the body of a missing snowmobiler in the Estaire area, south of Sudbury, on Tuesday.
Ronald Nantais, 53, was last seen Saturday evening on Elbow Lake Road, in Burwash Township, driving a black and white 2017 Polaris 600 Switchback snowmobile, Ontario Provincial Police said.
Ronald Nantais, 53, went missing Jan. 14 and was last seen on his snowmobile at Elbow Lake south of Sudbury. (OPP)
An OPP helicopter identified the area on Elbow Lake where the snowmobile went through the ice and divers recovered Nantais' body Tuesday.
"When we attended the scene, we had officers speak with family members and then had emergency response team from the mid-northeast region along with the OPP aviation to search the area," said OPP spokesperson Const. Rob Lewis.
"OPP aviation did come across an area of open water where there was evidence of where a snowmachine did enter the water."
Police said Nantais was not wearing a floater suit.
Residents who live on the lake said the ice is weak right now along parts of the shoreline and open in a narrow area.
Police said in light of the tragic incident, snowmobilers and anyone else venturing out on the ice needs to know that it's not safe in many areas.
Underwater search and recovery unit team at Elbow Lake as a search for a missing snowmobiler continues. Jan. 17/23 (Alana Everson/CTV Northern Ontario)
"Most of our waterways are still open or have very thin ice, which creates a dangerous situation for none who is on the ice. The old saying is 'no ice is safe ice' and know the ice before you even try to venture on to it," Lewis said.
Police are also reminding snowmobilers that when heading out for a ride, it's important to check trail and ice conditions, to let other people know your destination, route and when you are expected to return.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.

Farmers in Atlantic Canada battling 'abnormally dry' conditions, fearing continued drought
Farmers in Atlantic Canada are growing increasingly worried about drought, as many regions on the east coast have been classified as drier than usual for this time of year, with little rain in the forecast.
Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green
Venetian authorities are investigating after a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the famed Grand Canal on Sunday morning.
Turkiye's Erdogan wins 5th term as president, extending rule into 3rd decade
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade in a country reeling from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Economy, health care, trust: Alberta election campaign hits final day before vote
Both Smith and Notley agree the vote will be one of the most consequential in decades, featuring two leaders in their 50s who have been both premier and Opposition leader.
Fight still ahead for Texas' Ken Paxton after historic impeachment deepens GOP divisions
The historic impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was just the first round of a Republican brawl over whether to banish one of their own in America's biggest red state after years of criminal accusations.
Blais scores twice, Canada beats Germany 5-2 to win gold at men's hockey worlds
Samuel Blais scored two goals to rally Canada to a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.
Jan. 6 rioters are raking in thousands in donations. Now the U.S. is coming after their haul
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
3-year-old boy dies after drowning in backyard pool west of Toronto
Police are investigating the death of a three-year-old boy who was pulled from a backyard pool in Oakville on Saturday.