Hundreds attend funeral for Suzana Brito, victim of Muskoka boat crash
Brito, 48, died days after a crash involving TV personality Kevin O'Leary
About 500 people packed an Ontario church on Saturday morning to pay respects to one of two victims of a fatal boat crash involving TV personality Kevin O'Leary.
The mass for Suzana Brito, 48, a mother of three, was held at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Uxbridge, where she lived.
Brito was critically injured in the crash in Ontario's Muskoka region last Saturday night and died of her injuries in hospital on Tuesday.
Two boats, a smaller ski boat and a larger wakeboard pleasure craft, collided on Lake Joseph near Emerald Island in Seguin Township, some 215 kilometres north of downtown Toronto, at about 11:30 p.m.
The crash also killed Gary Poltash, 64, of Florida. Poltash was pronounced dead at the scene.
Many people gathered outside the church before the funeral, hugging and consoling each other, before the casket was carried inside.
Family thanks community, emergency crews
In a statement released on Friday, the Brito-Owen family thanked friends, local residents and emergency crews for their comfort in the days following the fatal crash.
"Our family wishes to express our gratitude for the outpouring of support we have received from police, first responders, the medical community, our friends and the entire Uxbridge community following the tragic death of our wife, mother, daughter and sister, Suzana Brito," the statement reads.
Brito leaves behind her husband David and two sons and a daughter — aged 12, 11 and nine. She is also survived by her parents, a brother and a sister.
A visitation for Brito was held in Uxbridge on Friday night. Following the funeral service, Brito was buried at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Uxbridge.
Ontario Provincial Police's West Parry Sound detachment has said it is continuing to investigate the crash. Police have not said whether speed or alcohol were factors in the crash and no charges have been laid.
Investigators are looking for anyone who has video from the area around the time of the crash.