November 6, 1998

George River residents perish while on hunting trip

JANE GEORGE
Nunatsiaq News

KUUJJUAQ — One man froze to death and another is presumed to have drowned after their canoe capsized in strong winds near Kangiqsualujjuaq on Sunday, October 25.

According to the Kativik Regional Police, Simeunie Baron, 43, and Jobie Emudluk, 53, had left Kangiqsualujjuaq on Saturday morning to go hunting and were camping on Beacon Island at the mouth of the George River.

They called in by radio into the community on Sunday morning to say that they were returning home, but the two never made it back.

Aerial search and rescue efforts began on Monday morning and located an overturned canoe 150 feet from Beacon Island. A blue tarp was noted on the shore.

The small plane circled the area several times, but there were no signs of life. Due to poor weather conditions, the search was called off for the rest of the day.

A helicopter sent from Kuujjuaq continued the search early Tuesday morning. It managed to land on the island where Baron's frozen body was discovered lying under the tarp.

Police believe that the pair may have had trouble with their canoe's engine. The exceptionally choppy conditions on Sunday are thought to have blown over the canoe, not far from the island.

With no equipment or dry clothing, Baron, who did make it to shore, likely passed out from hypothermia extremely quickly. He was not wearing boots.

The two men were reportedly excellent hunters and close friends who often hunted together.

"It's too bad that they were hunting alone," said Charlie Keelan of the KRPF. "It's safer when two canoes go out or, in winter, when two skidoos are together."

A funeral service was held in the community for the two men on Friday, October 30.