BROCKVILLE – A racer at the 1000 Islands Regatta has died after a collision on the water during the final day of the festival, Sunday.
The victim is identified as 31-year-old Mathieu Daoust of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.
Daoust’s boat collided with another on the St. Lawrence River during the Grand Prix qualifying race just before 1 p.m.
The other boat operator was not hurt.
Organizers cancelled the rest of the racing out of a sign of respect but the scheduled entertainment with the Northern Pikes did go ahead later that night.
It’s the first death for the regatta in 12 years.