An Oakland man apparently drowned Wednesday afternoon attempting to retrieve his boat after he launched it on Ellis Pond (also known as Salmon Pond) in Belgrade.

At approximately 2:30 this afternoon, 66-year-old Robert Gary of Oakland, Maine launched his 12-foot motorized aluminum boat at the boat launch on Spaulding Point on Ellis Pond when it began to drift out away from shore and into the lake.

Gary swam after the drifting boat in attempt to retrieve it. According to a witness on shore, Gary was swimming towards the boat when he went under and never resurfaced.

Belgrade Fire and Rescue arrived on scene first, and they were able to recover the body in about four feet of water, approximately 30-40 yards from shore. Emergency medical personnel attempted to revive him with CPR, but he was unresponsive and passed away at the scene.

Gary was transported to the Wheeler Funeral Home in Oakland, and he will be examined by a state medical examiner to determine a cause of death.

Maine Game Wardens, Belgrade Fire and Rescue, Delta Ambulance and the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene of the apparent drowning this afternoon. This release will be updated if any new information becomes available.