A Perth family is grieving the loss of their 26-year-old son after he jumped from a cliff at a local lake and never resurfaced.

Michel Daoust, also known as 'Mick', was killed Saturday afternoon at Otty Lake, southwest of Perth, and about an hour and a half west of Ottawa.

Ontario Provincial Police say Daoust was cliff diving with friends. He did a somersault into the water, but never resurfaced. Divers later recovered his body.

Many in the tight-knit community can't believe the tragic outcome of the weekend's events.

"The telephones were ringing off the hook like mad Saturday afternoon when word of the accident got out. People were terribly upset," said Otty Lake resident Norm Wright.

"I talked to many people over the weekend and they have been jumping off cliffs, diving off cliffs, there is always an element of danger when you do that."

In a similar incident two weeks ago, another 26-year-old man was killed after he jumped from a 50-foot ledge in Bon Echo Provincial Park.

Chris Curry was jumping with friends from a cliff into Mazina Lake on June 26, when he decided to jump from a ledge further up, police said.

Expert divers later recovered his body in an area about 300 feet deep.

Ontario Provincial Police say there is an element of risk when it comes to jumping in any body of water. However, if you must jump, entering the water heels first is the safest way.

"I'm a parent and I have two boys and that's always the way they went into the water, that's why they continue to jump in, that's the way I want them to do it," said Const. Peter Robertson

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee