Bracebridge OPP say a 51-year-old Bracebridge, Ont., man’s body was recovered Monday night after he went into the Muskoka River to help a person in distress as others had jumped in the water to rescue the swimmer.
The other individuals were able to rescue the distressed swimmer, but the Bracebridge man slipped below the surface and out of view, police say.
On Tuesday, Bracebridge OPP identified the man who drowned as Kevin Schell, 51, from Bracebridge.
Initially, a woman saw the distressed swimmer and went to assist but was unable to help him, Bracebridge OPP Const. Samantha Bigley said.
Two other women then went into the water to rescue the man, and at some point, Schell also got in the water to assist before he went out of view and later drowned, according to Bigley.