Fisherman found safe after fall near Lachine rapids

Montreal police say a 52-year-old man who fell in the St. Lawrence River Thursday has been found safe at his home.

The man had been missing since Thursday after he fell into the river after an encounter with a provincial wildlife officer.

According to Radio-Canada, the man was fishing on the riverbank near the Lachine rapids when a wildlife protection officer approached him for a routine check and asked to see his fishing permit.

There was an altercation and the officer reportedly used pepper spray to subdue the man, who then fell into the river.

Firefighters and a provincial police helicopter conducted a search Thursday night, but did not find the man until Friday morning.