RCMP divers recover body of Whale Cove Bombardier accident victim

RCMP divers recovered the bodyon Tuesday of one of the men who went through ice in a Bombardiersnow machine near Whale Cove, Nunavut, on the weekend.

Four men from Rankin Inlet were in the Bombardierwhen it went through ice on Saturday while on a cargo run from Rankin Inlet to Arviat.

A 27-year-old man survived the incident and snowmobiled to Whale Cove for help. RCMP and volunteers went to the site and confirmed one man, PatrickKaludjak, 55,was dead and two others were missing and presumed drowned.

Members of theRCMP's Underwater Recovery Team arrived in Whale Cove Monday and went to the site early Tuesday morning with help from local volunteers.

The dive teamrecovered the body of one manon Tuesday. The body of a second manwas not found; heis presumed dead.

RCMP say the recovery effort has been called off.

Nunavut'sOffice of the Chief Coroner has ruled the cause of the deaths asdrowningand the manner of death as accidental. Autopsies were not ordered.

In a media release, Whale CoveRCMPthanked the local volunteers from Whale Cove andRankinInlet who assisted.

"They spent countless hours and remained professional throughout the incident and recovery," the release said.

"Our thoughts are with theKaludjakfamily and friends during this difficult time."

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