Guelph Lake claims second life in two weeks after long weekend drowning

Second swimming death at Guelph Lake in two weeks

OPP respond to incident at Guelph Lake

(GUELPH/ERAMOSA, ON) - On July 31, 2022, the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a swimmer in distress near the island in Guelph Lake at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area. At approximately 7:30 p.m., the swimmer was located and was transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased

Emergency crews responded to Guelph Lake Conservation Area around 6:15 p.m. Sunday evening.The deceased has been identified as Hilal Ahmad NAJEEBI, 14-years-old of Mississauga.

Second Drowning in two weeks

It’s the second swimming death at Guelph Lake Conservation Area in two weeks and the third local water-related death in the same period. The tragedies have safety experts urging beach-goers to plan stay safe on the water by wearing a life jacket in unfamiliar waters and conditions

On July 18, the body of 21-year-old Rayan Kaber was recovered from Guelph Lake after Kaber was seen in distress around 30 ft. from shore the day before

"Around 80 per cent of drownings happen to people who aren’t wearing a life jacket," said Marc David, president of the National Boating Safety School.

“The most important thing that an individual can do is wear a properly fitted life jacket. Most incidents can be avoided if the right precautions are taken,” David said.