Kayaker drowns in Camden lake

CAMDEN – A Camden man drowned Wednesday while kayaking on Megunticook Lake.

Lt. Randy Gagne of the Camden Police Department said the victim’s name would not be released Wednesday because family notification had not been made.

Police, along with fire department personnel from Camden and Lincolnville, went to the lake after a caller said a kayak had been seen capsized in a cove. The call to police was made at 11:23 a.m.

The caller had seen the kayaker leaving a dock a few minutes earlier.

Police and first responders, using a lake patrol boat, found the kayak and the body in about 12 feet of water in the cove near Codman Island, Gagne said.

The man was not wearing a life jacket, nor was one on the boat. The kayak, Gagne said, was an older canvas type, and was in bad shape, with some holes evident.

First responders attempted CPR but were unsuccessful, and the man was pronounced dead at about noon. Dr. Thomas Williams of the state medical examiner’s office ruled the death an accidental drowning, Gagne said.

Police expect to release the victim’s name and age today.