The bodies of two Campbell River men missing since their boat capsized on the weekend have been recovered by RCMP divers.
Barry Sewid, 34, and Mike Kelly, 29, both fathers of young children, were aboard a 20-metre steel landing craft when it capsized five kilometres north of Campbell River just before 3 a.m. Saturday. The boat sunk to 75 metres.
The sole survivor, Kyle Benoit, 18, told his boss that Sewid called him up from the lower quarters as the boat was taking on water and pushed him out the door of the wheelhouse, which likely saved his life.
Rough seas and bad weather further hampered the search for the bodies.
On Wednesday afternoon, an RCMP dive team with the assistance of RCMP West Coast Marine Service and the RCMP vessel PV Higgit, dove down to the vessel and recovered both men, RCMP Cpl. Poppy Hallam said today.
Campbell River RCMP have notified the family, she said.
“Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of these men,” Hallam said.
The case will be turned over to the B.C. Coroners Service, the Transportation Safety Board and Worksafe B.C. to determine what caused the boat to take on water. Weather is not believed to be a factor.
Harold Sewid, Barry Sewid’s uncle and owner of Qwe’Qwa’Sot’Em Faith Aquaculture, said the family feels a huge sense of relief at knowing the bodies have been recovered.
“I can’t even describe the feeling of relief. It was like a huge pressure came off my chest and I could breathe,” he said. “I know we’re still missing a nephew and a young friend but now we have closure and we can grieve and we can heal.”
