ORONO, Maine — Members of the Maine Warden Service dive team Wednesday morning recovered the body of a Massachusetts man who fell from a kayak into the Stillwater River and apparently drowned the night before.
The body of the man, Muhammad T. Jamal, 37, of Malden, Massachusetts, was recovered in 13 feet of water near the steam plant on College Avenue, Maine Warden Service Lt. Dan Scott said.
Jamal was kayaking with his 7-year-old niece when the boat capsized, sending both into the water, according to Scott. The girl was wearing a life jacket and was able to make it to shore, where an Orono firefighter rescued her. Jamal, who was not wearing a life jacket, went under and didn’t resurface.
Dive teams searched for Jamal on Tuesday night, and efforts were halted after dark. Searchers returned to the river Wednesday morning, and Jamal’s body was located around 8:30 a.m.
Scott said the current along the river was not moving swiftly, but water conditions were cold.
The incident also serves as a reminder for people to wear life jackets, as the lieutenant said the fact that Jamal was not wearing a life jacket was a factor in the death.
Jamal’s wife and the girl’s mother were watching from the shoreline and immediately called 911 after seeing the kayak capsize. The call for help was made at 6:41 p.m. Tuesday, officials said.
Old Town and Orono police and fire aided state police and game wardens at the scene.
