An RCMP dive team has successfully recovered the bodies of two people from a plane at the bottom of Peter Pond Lake.
The plane went down in 1959, killing the pilot and a conservation officer.
The wreckage was discovered last July, yet recovery conditions were too dangerous.
“What made it so difficult was the clarity of the water, the fact that the aircraft was upside down made it difficult to get inside the aircraft and kind of extract and kind of look around inside to find out exactly what was inside there,” RCMP spokesperson Rob King said.
“At the bottom, you can’t see your hand. You have to use a light close to your chest to see what you picked up. I wish I had more time to see the whole plane, but it was important to gather what we could from the cockpit. I saw the colours and the markings on the plane; it’s obvious it is the right plane.” explained Diver Constable Peter Rhead.
Two divers were tasked with locating the remains, one to search the plane and the other to ensure the divers cords did not become entangled during the search.
In addition to recovering the bodies, divers located items such as boots, a pendant, a camera, a knife and a wallet.
“You can see from the pictures, especially the camera and case that it had been in cold water for 60 years, so there was some degeneration of the materials. But all and all they were actually in fairly good shape,” said King.
The remains and artifacts have been turned over to the Coroner’s Service, before being released to the families.
“We’re thankful to actually be able to dive on it and to confirm that it is the place that we always thought it was. To confirm with the family that yes we know exactly where your loved ones ended up and where they are and to bring that type of closure to the family and answer some unanswered questions,” stated King.
(PHOTO: Divers at Peter Pond Lake. Photo courtesy of Saskatchewan RCMP, Facebook.)