Ontario tourist presumed drowned off P.E.I. coast

After two days, the search for an Ontario tourist carried away by an ocean current off P.E.I.'s North Shore has been called off.

The North Bay man, whose name hasn't been released, is presumed drowned, RCMP say.

RCMP, search-and-rescue personnel, the coast guard, local fishermen and the Tyne Valley fire department began looking for the man late Friday afternoon. He disappeared while going for a swim during a kayaking trip. Searchers spent 48 hours scouring the land and water near Freeland, northwest of Summerside.

RCMP called off the search at 7 p.m. AT Sunday.

"It's really traumatic for the family and it's such a shame," said Tyne Valley fire Chief Shane Doran.

The Conway Narrows, where the swimmer went missing, is a popular swimming spot, but the currents can be strong.

The family of the victim has asked that his name not be released, but police said he was 38 years old.

Family members issued a statement through RCMP late Sunday night thanking everyone who participated in the search, and Islanders who comforted them during their ordeal.

He's the second man to drown off P.E.I. shores this month. AQuebec tourist died after being caught in a rip current off Cavendish Beach on Aug. 1.

Following that incident, the Red Cross expressed alarm at the number of drownings in Atlantic Canada this year, and urged people to be cautious around pools, lakes and by the seashore.