Weymouth man dies in boating collision
Help being extended to man’s daughter who witnessed the terrible event
A Weymouth man was one of two people who lost their lives in a recent boat collision in Prince Edward Island.
Chris Melanson, of Weymouth, Digby County, was visiting his daughter Isabelle Melanson in PEI. They were on a lobster fishing trip – something Chris Melanson loved to do – when tragedy struck. The fishing boat they were on and another vessel collided. Chris Melanson died, as did 20- yearold Montague resident Justin MacKay who was also involved in the collision.
The PEI community was thrust into shock and mourning, as were family and friends of the two men who lost their lives.
A GoFundMe account was started for Melanson’s daughter as she coped with his death following the tragic incident. The account has been set up by a friend for Isabelle Melanson, who witnessed her father’s death. Mr. Melanson leaves behind three daughters. The GoFundMe account is under the name: boating accident victim & survivor.
“His daughter, Isabella Melanson, was also one of the members on the boat that had to witness this unfortunate event,” reads the GoFundMe page. “The accident happened so fast, but Chris passed away out on the water doing something he loved. Bella is unable to work at this time as she experienced this tragedy right in front of her eyes. Any donations will be go to Isabella to help Chris Melanson shown here with his daughter Isabella in photo from a GoFundMe page. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help his daughter following his tragic death as the result of a fishing vessel collision Saturday, June 9, near Beach Point, P.E.I. her financially over the next couple weeks so she can take the time to be with her friends and family.”
The funeral was to be held in Weymouth. On the GoFundMe page people have been making donations and expressing their condolences. “Chris always had a smile for everyone,” posted one person.
“Our thoughts are with everyone touched by this unfortunate accident. So very sad,” said another person.
A GoFundMe account was also set up for the other victim of the accident, to help ease his family’s financial burden when it comes to funeral costs as they grieve their loss.
According to media reports, one of the lobster boats was on its way back to shore and the other one was buoyed when the collision occurred about nine kilometres offshore on Saturday, June 9 near Beach Point, PEI. There were eight crew members between the two boats, including the two victims.
The collision occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Murray Harbour Fire Depart- ment, RCMP and Island EMS and DFO were among those who responded to the collision. Pastor Scott Herring, of Murray Harbour Baptist Church, said a feeling of devastation had come over the community.
The collision has been under investigation and review by several agencies, including the RCMP, Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
MLAs in PEI’s legislature expressed condolences for the men who died and their families, and also for the community.
Premier Wade MacLauchlan introduced a motion, with support from the other party leaders, to “honour and remember those who have lost their lives” and those who mourn the men’s deaths.
“It’s certainly with a heavy heart that we make this motion and extend our condolences today,” he said.