Woman killed in watercraft accident in Lake Ontario near Wilson

WILSON – A Canadian woman was killed in a personal watercraft accident on Satruday, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is reporting.

The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a boating accident in Lake Ontario at the rear of 4581 East Lake Road in the Town of Wilson. Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with members of the Wilson and South Wilson Volunteer Fire Companies and provided resuscitation aid to woman injured in the incident.

The woman was later identified as Ria E. Vannoort, 32, of Canfield, Ontario. She was transported by ambulance to Eastern Niagara Lockport Hospital where she was pronounced deceased a short time later, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Initial investigation by deputies at the scene revealed that Vannoort, who was attending a party at the residence, was operating a personal watercraft just offshore.

Attendees of the party noticed that Vannoort had become dismounted from the watercraft and was floating in the lake, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Vannoort was then loaded onto a second vessel and brought back to shore by the other attendees.

An investigation into incident by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Bureau and Marine Unit is ongoing.