One man dead, two injured in Iqaluit boat accident
Former NTI president treated for broken ribs, other injuries
Paul Kaludjak, the former president of Nunavut Tunnngavik Inc., was injured in a Nov. 5 boat accident near Iqaluit that claimed the life of Seeglook Akeagok, 55, of Iqaluit. (FILE PHOTO)
An Iqaluit man is dead and two others, including the former president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., are injured after their boat collided in the darkness with a buoy near Iqaluit Nov. 5.
RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak said Seeglook Akeeagok, 55, was taken to Qikiqtani General Hospital and pronounced dead after the accident.
Paul Kaludjak, the former NTI president suffered broken ribs and injuries to his face and was to head to Ottawa for further treatment Nov. 8, Akavak said.
Kaludjak’s son, whose name isn’t being released, also suffered minor injuries but was able to get the boat back to shore, Akavak said.
The men were returning from a fishing trip.
“It all happened very quick and sudden,” Akavak said. “There was not much time for reaction.”
Akavak added police have ruled out any foul play in the incident and said neither alcohol nor excessive speed were factors in the accident.
The boat collided with a permanent buoy, located less than one kilometre from Iqaluit, which is used to guide oil tankers to the city’s refuelling berth.
Akavak said the buoy is brown or faded yellow, with no reflective marker, and is difficult to see in low light.
He said he’s gone past the buoy several times on his own hunting trips and said it’s very hard to see, especially headed towards Iqaluit.
“Even up close it looks like a rock until you’re right at it,” Akavak said.
“At night time, when you’re coming into town with light in the background it’s even harder to see unless you’ve got a light right on it.”
Akavak urged boaters to slow down and use lights while travelling at night.
Akeeagok was an assistant regional manager at Nunavut’s environment department.
Kaludjak was the president of NTI until late last month, when he was removed from the position after serving a suspension for misuse of a corporate credit card account.
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