Friends and family of Catherine Shergold, better known by her middle name of Haidee, are in shock over the sudden tragedy that claimed the life of the 34-year-old mother of two.
According to reports, Shergold was crossing the suspension bridge over the Birkenhead River on her way from her house in Owl Ridge to Mt. Currie by ATV. It was a trip she made almost daily on routine errands, sometimes with her boyfriend Mark.
The exact cause of the accident on Friday June 3 is not known, but it’s believed that one of Shergold’s wheels slipped over the side of the suspension bridge, causing the ATV to drive through the protective fence and drop 15 feet into the fast-moving river.
She attempted to swim to shore, but was swept away by the strong current before kayakers who witnessed the fall could get to her. There is a possibility that Shergold may have sustained a head injury in the fall.
Her body was later recovered about four kilometres downstream in a log jam.
The family funeral service will take place on Friday June 10 in Surrey, and friends in Pemberton are having a celebration of Shergold’s life on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the suspension bridge.
Shergold grew up in Surrey and moved to Pemberton over a decade ago. She worked for the mountains for seven years, and has two children – Lyndsay Ness, 12, and Mackenzie Ness, 10, who attended Myrtle Philip.
Cathy Sulyk, who has been friends with Shergold for 10 years, took it upon herself to contact the media to let them know that Catherine Shergold went by the name of Haidee with friends and family.
"She was so full energy," said Sulyk. "She was the life of the party, but also the kind of person who when somebody was feeling down was there for you."
Parents and children from Pemberton and Whistler elementary schools, have set up a trust for the Ness children at the North Shore Credit Union to pay for summer camps. The fund is called Kids Love Camp, and the account is #3897, Branch 14 for anyone who wishes to make a donation.
The kids will be undertaking most of the fundraising through events like bottle drives and a car wash. Details on these events will be released next week.
Parents hope to raise $1,200 for this summer’s program.
In addition, a councilor at Myrtle Philip is organizing a fundraiser for the family.
Her friends and family are also in contact, helping each other to deal with the tragedy.
"I know Mark is not doing very well, he’s very shaken up. We all are," said Sulyk. "She truly was one of those people, when you meet them they touch your heart and leave a fingerprint there. She was so unique. No one can believe she’s gone, her spirit was so strong."
The RCMP are still investigating the incident. More information on the fundraiser and trust fund for Shergold’s children will be announced next week.
