Man Drowns after Portsmouth Canoe Accident, Another Charged

A 65-year-old Portsmouth man has died after a canoe he was riding in capsized in the waters of the Sakonnet River on Thursday.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said Michael A. Yazel, of 47 Cottage Ave., was pronounced dead at Saint Anne’s Hospital after being transported from the scene by Portsmouth emergency personnel.

Also in the canoe was Philip L. Clement, 48, who is now facing charges of operating to endanger, death resulting, operating a watercraft while intoxicated and refusing a chemical test after a DEM investigation.

Clement was arraigned before a bail commissioner last night at the DEM’s Wickford Marine Base and released on bail. He is due to appear in Second Division District Court on Oct. 21 for a screening conference.

Both men were in the small canoe when it capsized, sending both men into the water.

Both struggled to get to lifejackets and Yazel eventually became unresponsive.

Good Samaritans dove into the water and using personal flotation devices, were able to pull both to shore.

Portsmouth Fire Dep. Chief Michael P. O’Brien said that the Fire Department got a 911 call at around 2:11 p.m. reporting someone screaming from the water off Seaconnet Boulevard in Island Park.

The fire department responded with multiple units, including two chief officers, an ambulance crew, engine company and marine unit.

When the first unit arrived six minutes later, they found a group of people signaling for help from a nearby yard as two good Samaritans administered CPR to Yazel.