Body of Dick Baker, ID'd as missing snowmobiler, recovered at Deer Lake

Search and rescue crews have recovered the body of Dick Baker, who is believed to have drowned after falling through the ice on his snowmobile at Deer Lake earlier this week.

According to the RCMP, searchers found Baker's body around 3 p.m. on Friday.

Baker, 79, was reported missing to Deer Lake RCMP suppertime Wednesday, when he didn't return home.

An autopsy will not be performed.

Unpredictable ice

Baker was last seen leaving St. Jude's on snowmobile around 2:30 p.m. that same day.

RCMP Cpl. Dean Hyde said the accident happened close to the man's hometown of St. Jude's.

"Even though some people may be very familiar with that area, but you know, accidents can and do happen," Hyde said. "This unfortunately is an example of that."

Hyde said snowmobilers should stay off the unpredictable ice. 

Baker's children are travelling home to Newfoundland and Labrador from Alberta Friday.