Parry Sound area couple perish in pedal boat crash

A couple is dead after a Canada Day pedal boat ride on Bartlett Lake in Ryerson Township, east of Parry Sound.

Provincial police report the body of Zdzislaw Mercik, 80, was found in the lake yesterday, a day after he and his 58-year-old wife Bozena ventured out for an evening pedal boat ride.

Shortly before 7 p.m., a red and black ski boat struck their boat. Bozena 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.  She died on the way to hospital.

The OPP North East Region Snowmobile, All- Terrain and Vessel Enforcement Team, the OPP Helicopter Unit and the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit were deployed and Zdzislaw's body was recovered the following day.

The Mercik's hail from McMurrich/Monteith Township.

The OPP said they are continuing to investigate the collision and issued a reminder to boaters to wear their personal flotation devices at all times.