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Name of deceased snowmobiler released by OPP

Two snowmobilers went into the water on Lake Simcoe on Feb. 16; One of the men was rescued by local firefighters
snowmobile accident narrows
Two snowmobilers plunged through the open waters of The Narrows at around 4:30 a.m. the morning of Feb. 16, 2020. Orillia OPP photo

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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RAMARA - The Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is currently investigating an incident where two snowmobilers went into the water on Lake Simcoe in the Township of Ramara.

On Feb. 16, 2020 at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Orillia OPP were dispatched to a call reporting hearing voices screaming for help on Lake Simcoe at the area known as The Narrows.

Police arrived on the scene and could hear the men screaming for help. Ramara and Orillia Fire departments attended the scene and were able to rescue one of the stranded men. That male was transported to Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital by County of Simcoe Paramedic Services (CSPS) where he remains.

The other male has not been recovered as of yet. The OPP Under Water Search and Recovery Unit (USRU) and the OPP Helicopter (C-FOPP) have been called in to assist locating the other snowmobiler.

On Sunday Feb. 16, 2020 at approximately 4:45 p.m., the OPP Under Water Search and Recovery Unit recovered the body of the missing snowmobiler.

Police have identified the deceased as 35-year-old James Tahir of Orillia.

The body will be held for a post-mortem examination at the‎ Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Services (OCC-OFPS) in Toronto.

The Orillia OPP is committed to public safety and crime prevention. If you have any information about crime in our community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You can submit your information online if you have any information on this crime or any other crime.

Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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