A swimmer dies after trying to cross the Bastican River, in Mauricie

MONTREAL — The body of the 49-year-old man who disappeared Saturday evening while swimming across the Bastican River in Mauricie has been found.

His death was pronounced at the hospital.

The police and emergency services of the MRC de Mékinac were called to the scene at 7 p.m., after the man had been lost to sight in the waters near Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. Another person accompanied him on his excursion.

“This morning, a command post, walkers, divers and a helicopter from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) were moved to the site to continue the search,” said information officer Nicolas Scholtus, SQ spokesperson. The body was recovered around 11 a.m.

Already, Saturday evening, firefighters had patrolled the river and raked the banks.

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