GORDON TOWNSHIP—Residents of the Bayside apartments in Gore Bay and friends are in shock with the report of the sudden death of Penny Chmielak last week in Tobacco Lake.
The Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) report that in the late afternoon on June 29, officers responded to a report of a drowning at the public beach on Tobacco Lake, in Gordon-Barrie Island township. Upon arrival, police officers found a person performing artificial respiration on a woman. Cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was commenced by police.
The victim, Penny Chmielak, age 56 of Gore Bay, was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where she was pronounced dead.
“I’m shocked,” stated friend Gloria MacDonald. “She was always friendly.”
“It is awful to hear this news,” said Carmen VanEvery. “I was a friend of Penny. She has been on the Island for two or three years. She was a nice lady.”
An OPP investigation has determined there is nothing suspicious in the death. The coroner has ordered a post mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
