Scugog teen dies after being struck by plane

BRANDON CLARK The Standard

SCUGOG: Tragedy struck Scugog Township last Friday, when a 16-year-old boy died, after being struck by a plane on his dock. The accident occurred on Lake Scugog, at 12:30 p.m., in Caesarea, a community located just east of Port Perry. The boy was pronounced deceased on scene.

Durham Region police stated, the plane struck a dock and a boat before flipping over. Both occupants survived the crash, with non-life-threatening injuries, while the pilot was brought to a nearby hospital and the passenger was tended to at the scene.

Inspector Gill Lock, a spokesperson for Durham Region police, said, the circumstances and cause of the crash were being investigated. Police are collaborating with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) to investigate the incident. Alcohol was not assumed to be a contributing factor, and the pilot was compliant with officers.

Peter Rowntree, a senior investigator at the TSB, explained their role in evaluating what happened, in addition to investigating why it happened, in order to prevent future related incidents. The TSB does not point blame, nor does it determine criminal and civil liability.

"It's always going to be difficult looking at accidents involving watercraft," he said, adding, "It can be tricky landing on water."

Mr. Rowntree said, investigators will speak to the pilot and witnesses of the crash to determine its take-off point and intended landing point, in addition to issues with the plane. The plane was an Ultravia Pelican Sport 600 which allows it to land on water.

Police were asked, not to disclose the victim's identity, by his family. Citizens, with information concerning the incident, are asked to contact Durham Regional police, by calling 9-1-1, or to send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers, by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).