Portage Canal death ruled accidental

Autopsy results have come back for a Hancock man who was found dead in the Portage Canal on Tuesday night.

The pathologist’s report found 33-year-old Jason Mikkola died of an accidental boating injury. The information confirms the earlier belief of police that foul play was not involved.

Mikkola’s family reported him missing to the Hancock Police Department on Tuesday. He had been boating with friends on Sunday on the Portage Canal and had last been reported seen at about 1 a.m. Monday.

The boat that he had been using was found at his family’s boathouse on the canal. Police believe he most likely fell into the water as he was getting off of the boat. A local dive team found Mikkola’s body in the canal, near the boathouse, shortly after 6:30 Tuesday night.