Families mourn deaths of Alex Martin, Mitchell Paris in snowmobile drownings

GRAVENHURST — Families in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge are mourning the tragic deaths of two cousins who died early Monday morning in a snowmobile accident on Lake Muskoka.

Alex Martin, 15, a Gravenhurst High School student died Monday, March 4.

Fifteen-year-old Alexander Martin, a Gravenhurst High School student, and 11-year-old Mitchell Paris, a Bracebridge Public School student, died just after midnight while snowmobiling with three others near the Narrows in Gravenhurst.

A 14-year-old and two adults, 31 and 37 survived the accident by crawling out of the water.

The deceased were retrieved by emergency personnel and taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Friends have started a gofundme pages to help their families.

Martin’s fund was at $4,246 on Tuesday, headed for a goal of $5,000.

See the attached for information on the fundraisers.

https://www.gofundme.com/expenses-to-help-Alex-Martins-family?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cta_button&utm_campaign=upd_n

And for the Paris’s: GoFundMe campaign for Mitchell Paris‘ family.

A gofundme post from Martin’s family read:

“On March 4th, 2019 Our beloved Alex Martin lost his life due to a tragic snowmobile accident.  He was 15 years old. His snowmobile went through the ice and ultimately it lead to two very young lives being lost. He will be missed by his mother, father, siblings, girlfriend and extended family. Due to the unexpectedness of his passing, and that he had no life insurance, funeral costs will be hard to cover. Service will be held later this week or next and we are hoping to help offset the cost as the family is not financially able to give him the funeral he deserves. Due to the fact of such a large community who will be attending, and the amount of friends Alex had we would like to have the appropriate amount of space for them to grieve.  Any amount of donation would be greatly appreciated for this sweet, loving, kind, basketball crazed, funny soul. These funds will ultimately be going to his Mother and Father for funeral costs. https://muskoka411.com/start/double-fatal-snowmobile-accident-on-lake-muskoka/?fbclid=IwAR0FGH2Owciak4um4QjXs2rJXd8gahfJ7cINYOScTvf0JRksKWguyfOvUeM

A statement by the Trillium Lakelands District School Board said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two of our students. Special counselling services have been available at the schools these students attended and will continue to be available throughout the week and longer, if needed. A letter sent home to parents at the affected schools encourages open discussion with children about feelings, stressing that any reaction to the death of a peer is normal in the grief process. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy.”

A gofundme page photo shows Alex Martin, centre.