Missing body found at Ottawa River Parkway

CTV Ottawa: Missing body found in Ottawa River Ottawa police say they have found the body of one man who went missing with a friend after wading into the river. Natalie Duddridge reports.

Ottawa Police say they have found the body of one man who went missing with a friend after wading into the Ottawa River late Saturday night.

His body was found 10-15 feet off the shore at 9 a.m. Tuesday, bobbing in the water where Woodroffe Avenue meets the Ottawa River Parkway.

The Parkway between Island Park and Woodroffe Avenue is now blocked off.

“I feel bad for the family...I tried the best I could... I'm sorry,” said Patrick Papineau, who was walking along the river late Saturday night when he heard people shouting that someone was drowning. He jumped in the river in attempt to save them,

“I grabbed his shirt afterwards saying “Hold on I'm right next to you. I'm going to get you back to shore.” Then he turned around practically jumped on me pushed me underwater.”

According to Papineau it was the first time the group had traveled to Ottawa to celebrate Canada Day. He said they are from a reserve from the North-Bay-Nipissing area.

"They went into the water to swim, they're non-swimmers and started to struggle," said Insp. Joan McKenna of the Ottawa police.

"There is an undercurrent and what people generally don't realize is even just standing in the water . . . you can be pulled under," said nearby resident Sandra Zagon.

Officials say the two men walked too far into the Deschenes Rapids in west Ottawa around 11:30 p.m.

The pair, aged 21 and 26, were part of a group of five ranging in age from 13 to 26.

Police said alcohol was involved.

Three of the Ottawa Fire Services’ water rescue units were on the scene early Sunday morning, with help from Gatineau crews.

Ottawa police said they've searched seven kilometres of shoreline and have dispatched a dive team with sonar equipment.

Search and rescue crews are continuing to comb the area for a second body.