Teen killed in Muskoka boat crash remembered as 'joyful, compassionate'
The community at a Toronto parish and school are mourning the death of a teenage girl killed in a Muskoka boating crash.
Blessed Sacrament Parish leaders tell CTV News Toronto 13-year old Quinn Cammaert died in the collision.
They said dozens of people attended a vigil Thursday night at her school, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School to remember the recent Grade 8 graduate and valedictorian.
“The silence was overwhelming. It was very difficult to go over there as a pastor knowing these students, but the good news was we prayed together as a community,” Father Larry Marcille, the pastor at the parish, said.
Youth director Joanna Manturowicz has known Cammaert for three years through ministry programs.
“She was a compassionate, soft, joyful girl,” she said. “She was a little bit on the quieter side, she was very gentle.”
The cause of the crash remains unknown. It happened around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday near the Windermere Marina on Lake Rousseau between two boats.
Ontario Provincial Police said there were three people in each vessel and witnesses reported several people in the water.
A 51-year-old, identified by police as Donna Wiley of Oakville, also died. Her body was recovered Thursday afternoon.
Marcille, Manturowicz and seminary intern Tomek Tylka all attended the vigil for Cammaert. They said they were especially touched by the words from Cammaert’s valedictorian speech read aloud by the school principal.
“When he read, I know he was very much choked up,” Marcille said. “Her speech took a lot of people to crying and grieving.”
“The passion in his words, of her quoting Dr. Seuss, how this is going to be the best summer … looking forward to the future, looking forward to high school, her excitement, her joy really spoke through her speech,” Manturowicz said.
“This news has been devastating for all of us, and our hearts go out to the student’s family as they deal with this tremendous loss,” the Toronto Catholic District School Board [TCDSB] said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the support of the local parish, staff, and the team of social workers and grief counsellors who have been available to support the school community during this difficult time.”
TCDSB said a mass is being planned for the student in September.
The community is also praying for Cammaert’s mother. The church said she was critically injured and is now at Sunnybrook Hospital.
“This is a tragedy. We’re not sure why this happened,” Father Marcille said.
“We are never prepared for the death of a child. This is only the second time. Never before did I have to bury a child.”
Marcille said the community is praying for the affected families and truly believes ‘young Quinn’ is in heaven.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.