Police charge man after person dies after falling off boat near Toronto Islands

Police have charged a man after someone fell off a boat and died near the Toronto Islands in August. (Toronto Police Service)

A man allegedly illegally operating a boat charter has been arrested after a passenger fell off and died near the Toronto Islands in August.

Toronto police say they were called to the Toronto Islands area at around 12:30 a.m. on Aug 23 for a marine rescue.

Authorities say the accused was operating a vessel called “Slow Motion,” alleging he did not have a legitimate commercial licence and registration to conduct commercial boat charter business.

Police say the accused was the sole captain of the boat with no crew members aboard when he picked up a group of around 16 people, who paid for a private charter.

Officers say they found one passenger dead in Lake Ontario.

Investigators arrested the accused on Tuesday, and identified the suspect as 35-year-old Nasme Saqqa. The Mississauga man has been charged with criminal negligence causing death.

The charge has not been tested in court.

“Police would like to remind the public when hiring a commercial boat charter, the vessel must be registered as a commercial vessel, not a pleasure craft,” Tuesday’s news release reads.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have hired this vessel or has additional information to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.