St. Agatha man’s body found in lake

ASHLAND — The body of a 42-year-old St. Agatha man was found Sunday near the east shore of Umsaskis Lake in Township 11 Range 13.

A state medical examiner viewed the body of Aurele Michaud and ruled that he died of accidental drowning, according to Paul Fournier of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Fournier said Michaud and a companion, Danny Paradis of Frenchville, were reported to have been fishing on the lake south of the thoroughfare bridge Friday when their 20-foot canoe with its 9.9-horsepower motor rolled over while making a turn.

Fournier said the fishermen evidently clung to the canoe while drifting late in the day across the milewide lake, getting close enough to the east shore so that Paradis could reach land.

The spokesman said that as Paradis swam for shore he had voice contact with Michaud, but that Michaud didn’t get there.

Wardens said both men were wearing life jackets when the boat overturned.

Fournier said Paradis made a shelter and remained on shore overnight in 32-degree weather before being picked up by passing fishermen Saturday.

Wardens were notified of the accident Saturday and arrived to find Michaud’s life jacket and cloth jacket on the shore. They searched nearby woods in belief that the victim may have made it to land.

The boat and motor also were recovered Saturday, Fournier said. The spokesman said Warden Sgt. Dan Watson of Fort Kent discovered Michaud’s body around 10:30 a.m. Sunday in 7 feet of water.