The bodies of three members of the Pelsma family were recovered during a search near the Alexis Bridge in Lac Ste. Anne County, west of Edmonton, on Tuesday.
The family of three — 39-year-old Kelly Pelsma, 37-year-old Laura Pelsma and eight-year-old Dylan Pelsma — had not been seen since Dec. 23. They were reported missing when they didn’t arrive at a family function they were expected to attend.
In a news release issued late Monday, police said investigators believed the Pelsma family had gone off-roading in a utility terrain vehicle, or “side-by-side,” in Lac Ste. Anne County, which is located about a one-hour drive west of Edmonton.
Emergency service personnel, Edmonton Police Air1 Helicopter and ground search and rescue volunteers converged on the family’s last known location.
On Tuesday morning, the RCMP said members from its Parkland County detachment as well as some members of a local fire department helped with search efforts on Christmas Day.
The RCMP confirmed that a dive team was also involved in the search effort on Monday. It was used to search underwater in Lac Ste. Anne.
“After the hours and work that the Parkland RCMP and the volunteers put in last night, there was an observation made by someone late in the evening and that’s what drew the attention to that bridge area,” RCMP Cpl. Patrick Lambert said.
Parkland RCMP continued search and rescue efforts Tuesday in an area near the Alexis Bridge, off Range Road 40A.
Recovery of the three individuals was conducted by members of the Parkland RCMP, Lac Ste Anne County Fire Service and an underwater recovery team.
“This is a sad outcome,” Lambert said. “The loss of any life is tragic. The loss of this entire family is truly devastating over the holidays. Our thoughts are with the community and their extended family.”
Officials on scene told Global News it appears the utility vehicle went through the ice near the bridge on the south side of Lac Ste. Anne.
The three deceased have been taken to the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton where an autopsy will be conducted later this week.
In a news release, the RCMP reminded all Albertans “of the dangers of unpredictable thin ice and open water. Ice should be at least 15 cm thick for a person to walk or skate on, 20 cm for a group of people and 25 cm for snowmobiling or using off-highways vehicles on.”
“This season is overly warm,” Lambert said. “It’s not what Albertans are used to when we’d like to be out on our off-road vehicles.”
He added it’s important that everyone venturing outdoors be mindful of the changing environment and to check the weather.
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