The Associated Press

LANCASTER, Mass. – Authorities say a young man drowned when his canoe tipped over during a fishing trip with his uncle in Massachusetts.

Police in the Worcester County town of Lancaster say 18-year-old Michael Thao, of Leominster, died in Fort Pond early Sunday after the vessel he was in capsized.

Police Sgt. Everett Moody says Thao’s uncle broke through a nearby home’s window to use the phone. A woman at the house called 911. The uncle told responding officers that Thao was in the water.

Crews discovered Thao’s body in the water around 6 a.m. The body was recovered by a dive team about an hour later.

Police have determined the death was an accident. Moody says Thao and his uncle didn’t appear to be wearing life jackets.


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