A family that were last seen before Christmas on a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle. (The Canadian Press)
ALBERTA BEACH, Alta. - RCMP in Alberta say an underwater recovery team, with the help of police and firefighters, have found the bodies of a family that were last seen before Christmas on a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle.
Police had been looking for Kelly and Laura Pelsma and their eight-year-old son, Dylan, since they were reported missing Christmas Day when they were overdue to attend a function.They hadn't been heard from since Dec. 23, and friends have said they were last seen in the Birchwood Estates area of Alberta Beach on a side-by-side vehicle.
The community is approximately 45 minutes northwest of Edmonton.RCMP say they continued search-and-rescue efforts Tuesday in an area near the Alexis Bridge, off Range Road 40A, and they call the loss of the entire family ``truly devastating over the holidays.''
Mounties are reminding outdoor enthusiasts ice should be at least15 centimetres thick for a person to walk or skate on, 20 centimetres for a group of people, and 25 centimetres for snowmobiling or using off-highway vehicles on.