Body of missing paddleboarder pulled from the Ottawa River

A man who went paddleboarding on the Ottawa River over the weekend has died after going missing. CTV’s Austin Lee reports.

Gatineau police say the body of a missing paddleboarder was pulled from the Ottawa River over the weekend.

On Saturday, Gatineau police officers were called to Pilgrim Street in the Aylmer sector at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Ottawa police put out a missing person advisory for Robson Florentino, a 38-year-old man from Ottawa.

Gatineau police say an extensive search and rescue team was called in, with marine units, drones and divers assisting to locate him.

His paddleboard was later recovered by a boater and the man’s body was recovered by Sûreté du Québec (SQ) divers early Sunday evening.

“We thank everyone who assisted and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” Ottawa police said in a statement Sunday.

Investigators from Gatineau police and Ottawa police continue to investigate the circumstances into this death.