RICHMOND, B.C. — Speed and fading light may have contributed to a fatal jet ski accident that claimed lives of two Indo-Canadian men off Richmond, B.C.
The B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed the identities of two men who died. They were Salinder Burmy, aged 56, and Ramanjit “Bunty” Bachra, also aged 56, both of Richmond.
A Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft was deployed and both men were recovered and brought to shore near No. 4 Road and the Fraser River dyke, says Richmond RCMP Cpl. Dennis Hwang.
Mr. Burmy was a prominent Indo-Canadian realtor-builder and CEO at Presidio Land Development Corp.
B.C. Ambulance Service and Richmond Fire Rescue attended, but despite their best efforts, both men were deceased at the scene.
The duo sustained severe head injuries.
RCMP say there are indications the jet ski may have struck an object because of low lighting conditions as the sun was setting.
“We have some indication their watercraft may have hit something,” said Cpl. Dennis Hwang of the Richmond RCMP.
“We believe the sunset at that time was shortly after 8 p.m. so that’s a contributing factor we’re considering.”
A tug boat operator called for help when he spotted the pair floating on the south side of the Fraser River.
Police say a jet ski was found nearby and that the men were wearing life-jackets.
Photo: Shane MacKichan
