ORILLIA, Ont. — Provincial police say three times as many people have died in boating accidents on Ontario waterways this year compared to the same time in 2015.
The OPP say eight people have died in six separate incidents so far in 2016.
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They say seven of the eight victims were young people between the ages of 21 and 28.
Police say none of the victims were wearing flotation devices at the time, and that alcohol played a role in five of the six incidents.
Most of the deaths did not involve motorized boats, a fact police say is quite common.
As Ontario residents prepare for the first long weekend of the summer, OPP are urging extra caution for all boating activities.