Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Pond Inlet (Mar 25/02) - A Pond Inlet hunter fell through thin ice and drowned Wednesday morning.

Const. Louis Jenvenne said a rescue team recovered the body of 65-year-old Joshua Qaunaq later that afternoon.

Qaunaq was riding on a qamutik being pulled by a snowmachine driven by Mathias Qaunaq when the hunting accident occurred. The pair were travelling toward the floe edge near Button Point on Bylot Island. They hit a patch of thin ice between 9:30 and 10 a.m. and both the snowmobile and qamutik fell into the water.

Mathias managed to pull himself out, but was unable to rescue Qaunaq. He headed back to their camp to get help and was picked up en route by Joanasie Atadjuat.

Atadjuat reportedly administered first aid to Mathias and contacted Pond Inlet Search and Rescue, which sent two teams to the scene. They located Qaunaq's body in the afternoon and flew him and Mathias by helicopter back to the community.

Mathias was treated for mild hypothermia and released.

Jenvenne said family members and community residents are saddened by the loss.

"When the body was brought in yesterday, it was very upsetting for a lot of family members. It's a very strong-willed community, though, and they're holding up," said Jenvenne.

Funeral services will be held early this week.