Reason Of Death Found For Canoeist On Morris County Lake

The Morris County Medical Examiner’s office has found the reason and cause of death for the man who went missing after his boat capsized on a Morris County lake early Sunday morning, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced.

The cause of death for the 27-year-old man was drowning and manner was accidental, Knapp said, just 24 hours after the canoeist’s body was recovered from White Meadow Lake in Rockaway.

By request of the family, the man’s identity will not be released.

Multiple 911 calls were made around 3 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, when a canoe with two men capsized on the lake, authorities said. Officer Jason Tozzi of the Rockaway Township Police Department responded and found an available canoe and was able to reach the only “visible distressed male,” age 26, Knapp said, ultimately saving his life.

The rescued man was taken to St. Clare’s Denville Hospital where he was treated and later released.

A recovery operation then began, lasting some 12 hours Sunday and another 10 hours Monday. Searches were suspended each night.

Photo Credit: Melissa Stanislaw