PARRSBORO – Two men are dead, likely victims of the Bay of Fundy’s powerful tides.
The body of Croydon Wood, 49, a lobsterman and – according to one source – a prominent figure in Parrsboro’s fishing community, was found on a beach east of town Saturday morning. His brother, Michael, 41, was found close by at 3:50 p.m, also deceased.
The two men left home on two ATVs pulling wagons Friday around 5 p.m.
Speaking prior to the discovery of the second victim, RCMP spokesman Const. Dal Hutchinson said no cause of death had been determined, but he expected an autopsy would be performed.
He speculated on a scenario, stating the tides can come up quickly and encircle a person.
“Those tides are very unpredictable,” said Hutchinson.
It’s believed the men may have been searching for crates that had previously fallen overboard.
About 16 ground search and rescue personnel and the Parrsboro Fire Department were involved in the effort. A Department of Natural Resources helicopter made sweeps of the coastline. The Coast Guard and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre were also consulted.
The first body was found at the base of Green Hill, just past Hawks Road beach, below the Parrsboro Golf Club. The second was found nearby. The men headed out into the mouth of the harbour at low tide. When they had not returned by 1 a.m. Saturday, family grew concerned. Family found the first man before calling local RCMP at about 8:30 a.m.
The ATVs and wagons have been recovered.
A woman who stated she’s had a lifelong association with the community, said one of the men was married with children. Lobster fishing ran in the family.
“Their dad used to fish with the oars and the rowboats…(he's high up in (our) wharf.”
She said they had a lobster holding tank near the golf course.
