A Maine man who died after an accident on the Niagara River had connections to northern Chautauqua County.

On Saturday, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office announced it was investigating after a man fatally fell off a sailboat into the water. At approximately 12:20 a.m. Saturday, deputies responded to the vicinity of the Sandy Beach Yacht Club in the Town of Grand Island.

A 911 caller reported the male had fallen from the back of his docked boat and may be drowning. At the time of patrol’s arrival, it was stated that the male had previously been observed in the water; however, his exact whereabouts were now unknown.

Several bystanders and multiple first responder agencies assisted in searching for the male. At approximately 1:20 a.m., members of the Grand Island Fire Company located the victim’s body more than 100 yards from where he was reported to have fallen in the water. The victim was identified as Edward Lachapelle, 61, of Turner, Maine.

The Grand Island Fire Company, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, United States Border Patrol, United States Coast Guard and several other fire departments assisted. This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available for release at this time.

County residents said Lachapelle was a member of the Dunkirk Yacht Club and frequently stayed in the region while on his boat.