Vancouver Island teen with muscular dystrophy dies after sling drops him into water

An unthinkable accident on Vancouver Island turned a sailing outing into a tragedy, ending with the death of a 16-year-old boy.

​Gabriel Pollard, who had a severe form of muscular dystrophy (MD), died on June 21.

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He had just finished a trip with the Disabled Sailing Association when he was dropped while being lifted out of the boat.

The sling being used to carry him broke loose and he slipped into the water.

His uncle, Marcus Pollard, has started a GoFundMe page to support his family. It had drawn just over $2,000 toward a $15,000 goal on Thursday night.

READ MORE: Cole Harbour firefighters raise $25K for Muscular Dystrophy Canada

“With heavy hearts we are sad to announce the sudden passing of our nephew Gabriel Pollard,” the homepage read.

“He was gregarious and outgoing, a great spokesperson for the MD community and would have been a great ambassador someday. But the someday will never come.”

Gabriel was in the water for roughly fifteen minutes.

The team managed to bring him back on land — but he suffered a seizure on the way to the hospital and didn’t survive.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: The team managed to bring him back on land — but he suffered a seizure on the way to the hospital and didn't survive.

Pollard’s post describes the tragic circumstances: “Gabe’s mother (my sister) was with him the whole time, and watched the whole thing.  It is a parent’s and a family’s worst nightmare.  I know my sister will never be the same, and we have lost the last years of this amazing young man’s life.”

Doug Nutting, the Disabled Sailing Association’s director, said, “It was a tragic accident and nothing could’ve been done differently to prevent it.”  He explained the lift was the same one used to load Gabriel into the boat, and there’s no indication as to why it failed while they were out on the water.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service and the BC Coroner’s Service are investigating.

The family has released a statement requesting privacy at this difficult time.  A celebration of life will be held at Pearkes Arena​ on Aug. 11.​