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Man dies from water crash during Rideau Ferry Regatta BY EVELYN HARFORD AND DESMOND DEVOY
eharford@metroland.com
A Minnesota man died during the Rideau Ferry Regatta on Saturday, Aug. 19. Lanark County OPP responded at around 2 p.m. to a report of a marine collision that occurred during the Rideau Ferry Regatta in Rideau Ferry. The man was identified by the OPP Tuesday, Aug. 22 as William Pearson, 69, of Lakeville, Minnesota. The initial investigation revealed that a marine vessel, which was to be involved in a scheduled race, became airborne and the operator (Pearson) was ejected. The OPP reported that Pearson sustained “major injuries” as a result of the incident and was transported to hospital by Lanark County paramedics with life threatening injury. He was pronounced dead after arrival to the hospital. OPP said the incident happened east of the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club and the boats were travelling at “high speeds” but couldn’t confirm what speed the victim’s boat was travelling when it became airborne. Jim Graff, who was getting his own
boat, Country Girl, ready for the regatta in the nearby pit area, confirmed that the boat belonging to the Minnesota man was none other than Edelweiss 444, a Grand Prix boat with a 1,200 horsepower engine, the largest engine that has ever been at the regatta. “It was a very fast boat,” said Graff, who is also a town councillor in Perth. This was the boat’s first time at Rideau Ferry, and “he and his wife were here for the week. He had raced this class of boat for years.” Graff confirmed that the Edelweiss was “not racing when the accident happened. It was a demonstration.” The collision was visible from the beach, and “I know it scared the hell out of everybody when the boat went airborne.” He was not sure how fast the boat was going at the time, as he did not see the collision. From over in the pit area, “you could tell by the sound of the motor that he was just flying,” said Graff. “Then it just went quiet.” Graff confirmed that Pearson’s wife was present at the time of the collision. “This was a very freak accident,” said Graff, and that he was certain See REGATTA page P2
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Avalon Laing, 11, of Almonte, takes a look at the partial solar eclipse, at the Crystal Palace in Perth on Aug. 21. Another viewing party was held at Conlon Farm.
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