Man dies trying to drive snowmobile over open water

A 49-year-old man is dead after he plunged into the waters of Lake Nosbonsing when he tried to drive his snowmobile over open water on April 12, said the Ontario Provincial Police.

Roland Bellaire, 49, of Bonfield Township, was operating his snow machine over open water on Lake Nosbonsing when he failed to make it across safely.

Bystanders located a canoe and rescued him from the waters, said police.

They brought him to shore where they performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

North Bay and District Ambulance Service and the Bonfield volunteer fire department also attended the scene to assist with the investigation.

The North Bay OPP urges all snowmobilers to stay off of lakes and rivers as the ice conditions change very quickly and can be very unpredictable this time of year.