(RYERSON TWP, ON) The Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a fatal boating collision that occurred on Monday June 30, 2014 at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Bartlett Lake, Ryerson Township.
A red and black ski boat was being operated on the lake when it struck a pedal boat. A female in the pedal boat was rescued by the operator of the ski boat and brought to shore where she was transported to hospital by Parry Sound Emergency Medical Service (EMS). The female died on route to hospital from her injuries.
The OPP North East Region Snowmobile, All- Terrain and Vessel Enforcement Team (SAVE), the OPP Helicopter Unit and the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU) conducted a search of the Lake and on Wednesday July 2, 2014 a second body was recovered from Bartlett Lake.
The two deceased are Bozena MERCIK, 58 and her husband Zdzislaw MERIK, 80 of McMurrich/Monteith Township.
OPP is continuing to investigate the collision and would like to remind all boaters to wear their personal floatation device at all times.