(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 MERCIK, 80 of McMurrich/Monteith Township.
On Tuesday July 15, 2014 the Almaguin Highlands Crime Unit arrested and charged a male, Andrew Reid, 46 of Oro-Medonte Township with two counts of Causing Death by Criminal Negligence, two counts of Dangerous Operation of a Vessel Causing Death, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. The accused was also charged with Careless Operation, contrary to the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act and Operate a Pleasure Craft Without Prescribed Competency, contrary to the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations, Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act.
The accused was released from police custody and is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Sundridge, Ontario on Thursday, August 14, 2014.