(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
Officers from the Peterborough County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with EMS and Fire responded to a call regarding an individual who fell off a boat in the Otonabee River and did not resurface.
On Tuesday June 30, 2026, just after 2:30pm, Peterborough County Officers were dispatched to a call regarding an adult male who had fallen off a boat while on the Otonabee River. The caller advised that they had been travelling east on the river when another boat went by at which point one of the four individuals on the boat fell into the water. The caller advised that the missing person was not wearing a life jacket at the time that they went into the water and was no longer able to be seen.
Officers arrived on scene and a nearby OPP marine unit made its way to the location by water. Officers made contact with the three remaining individuals who were still on the boat near the location the person went into the water. The individuals were taken to shore while the area was searched for the missing person. While speaking with the passengers, it was determined that they had been consuming alcohol and as a result, an officer made a demand of the operator of the vessel to provide a sample of their breath into an Approved Screening Device (ASD). The operator complied with the demand and as a result was arrested and transported to the Peterborough County OPP detachment for further testing.
Jayatharssan YOGARATNAM (age 28) of Whitchurch-Stouville, ON., was arrested and charged with;
• Operation causing death
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was held for Bail.
The OPP Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU) attended the location and shortly before 9:00pm, divers located the body of the victim. A 39-year-old male from Oshawa was pronounced as deceased at the scene.
To serve our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety.
Peterborough County OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
