A GoFundMe has been launched to support the family of a 10-year-old child who was tragically killed in a boating collision in North Vancouver last weekend.
The fundraiser was launched by Jacqueline Samuda, Cindy Schreyer, and Mary-Jane Mehlenbacher, friends of Shelley Klassen and her husband, Jason Hall. Their 10-year-old son, Lionel, tragically died in the collision.
“July would have been his 11th birthday. Lionel’s life was cut short in a tragic boating accident on the North Shore, on what should should have been a fun Saturday afternoon out with his friends. Lionel was pure joy and a bright light to all who knew him, clever, sweet and an incredibly talented athlete,” reads the GoFundMe page.
GoFundMe
Police received multiple reports of a serious collision involving a speed boat and two children on an inflatable tube being towed by another boat around 6:30pm on June 7th.
“It’s alleged that a speed boat travelling off the waters of Cates Park struck the two children on the inflatable tube,” said North Vancouver RCMP in a release.
“North Vancouver RCMP front-line officers, along with numerous other first responders, attended the scene. Life-saving measures were applied to both children.”
Another child injured in the collision was airlifted to a local hospital in critical condition. A separate GoFundMe page has also been set up for 10-year-old Onur Yucel, who sustained ” life-changing injuries”.
“Alcohol and speed may have been a factor in the collision, and as the investigation continues, officers will work to uncover all available evidence pointing to the cause of this collision,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for the North Vancouver RCMP.
The operator of the speed boat was taken into police custody, but has since been released on an Undertaking to Appear (UTA). A court date has been set for August 27th.
In an update Thursday, investigators renewed their plea for people with information to come forward.
“Since our initial plea for witnesses to come forward, we have had dozens of people provide statements,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak. “We would like to thank those individuals for doing the right thing to help us further our investigation. We have since learned through investigation that there may still be individuals with intimate knowledge of the collision and events prior, who have yet to come forward.”
Witnesses and anyone with information are asked to contact investigators at 604-985-1311 and quote file 25-11599.