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Mercury Year 142, Issue 7
Thursday, August 23, 2012 • 52 pages
www.yourottawaregion.com
North York man dies during Wilderness Tours river trip Renfrew OPP investigates weekend tragedy at local resort Mercury staff
LUCY HASS/METROLAND
Renowned Downchild founder, blues singer and harmonica player Donnie Walsh. The best of Canadian blues was featured at this year’s Class Axe Guitars Calabogie Peaks Blues and Ribfest, and music lovers responded with thundering applause.
Calabogie aims for title of Blues Capital of Canada Lucy Hass Lucy.hass@metroland.com
An estimated 14,000 people attended the second annual Class Axe Guitars Blues and Ribfest at Calabogie Peaks on the weekend. Thatʼs an impressive jump from last yearʼs turnout of 8,000 people, enough to move organizers to set their sights on the title of Blues Capital of Canada. Calabogie Peaks owner Paul Murphy described the increase as “nice,” leaving larger accolades for the eventʼs musical lineup, vendors, volunteers and spectators. As Downchild lead singer Chuck Jackson proclaimed during Friday nightʼs performance: “This is not Calabogie. This is Calaboogie!”
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Former Ottawa Mayor Larry OʼBrien also gave the event a huge thumbs-up, jumping on stage to proclaim the Calabogie show even better than Ottawaʼs blues celebration. From its opening at noon Friday, right up until the gates closed Sunday at 8 p.m., the local blues showcase and ribsfest was a clear success. Murphy attributed that success to a variety of factors, including the year-round promotion given to the event by major sponsor radio station DAWG-FM, plus an impressive musical lineup. Among those acts were premier blues bands Downchild and The Powder Blues Band. The weather also co-operated, with only a touch of rain over the three days. See RHYTHM, page 2
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The Renfrew detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is investigating the drowning death of a 28-year-old man in the Ottawa River near Foresters Falls. An OPP report says the police were called to Wilderness Tours on Saturday, Aug. 18 about 6:20 p.m. when a male was pulled, unresponsive, from the water. Staff performed CPR on the man and were assisted by paramedics upon their arrival. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation reveals Thang Duc Ngo, 28, of North York, Ont., was at Wilderness Tours with three friends for a day of rafting. During a break in rafting, participants are free to swim and relax. Police say it was at this time that Ngo was found to be missing. Wilderness Tours employees searched for and located Ngo underwater. He was brought to shore and given CPR, but staff and paramedics were unable to revive him. An official statement from Wilderness Tours, which extended its thoughts and prayers to his family and friends, said he died after a late-Saturday afternoon stop on the Ottawa River. This popular stop is called Miami Beach, named for the beautiful sand beach that
forms at summer water levels. At that spot on the trip, guests can swim at the beach, jump off the rock or slide into the calm pool of water on an overturned raft. “While the investigation is not complete, it appears that Mr. Ngo was participating in the cliff jumping off a two- to three-metre drop into about three meters of water,” said the Wilderness Tours official statement. “This popular activity is part of most river trips provided by outfitters on the Ottawa River. Because of its location far away from the current, wearing life jackets while jumping or sliding is optional. “Mr. Ngo was recovered not wearing a life jacket. “Participants are advised to be in good health and possess average swimming ability,” the statement said. A preliminary investigation suggests the Ngo jumped off the rock, surfaced and was seen swimming back to shore. “We are grateful for the help of other river companies on the river at the time, paramedics and the Renfrew OPP,” said the Wilderness Tours official statement. “The investigation is continuing and will provide more information if it becomes available. “We are deeply saddened by this event and express our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Ngo.” Police are continuing to investigate under the direction of the Coronerʼs Office. The death is not considered suspicious and no foul play is suspected. Const. Sarah Turcotte is investigating.
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Dave Droeske of Renfrew wins his second straight Arnprior strongman title. – Page 31 –
SkiAbility has provided wonderful on-water experiences for disabled people living in and outside the Ottawa Valley. – Page 29 –
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Drought-ridden farmers have tough reaction to some speakers during OFA information meeting in Cobden. – Page 10 –
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