Massimo Benetton, 54, was canoeing with friends in the Aurino River, near San Martino. The currents dragged him while his friends raised the alarm and joined their ropes to try to recover him.
Firefighters and the Brunico water rescue team arrived at the scene, as well as the Aiut Alpin Dolomites helicopter with night sights activated. The Carabinieri are conducting investigations into what happened.Benetton leaves behind a son, Leonardo, his father and his siblings Gianni and Lucia.