2007-2008
News Release
REF NO.: 213
SUBJECT: The Fisheries and Marine Institute supports cause to obtain equipment to find drowning victims
DATE: June 16, 2008
Note to Editors:
The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University will hold a news conference to announce its support for the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation. The Marine Institute will work in collaboration with the foundation to provide equipment for the recovery of drowning victims. The conference will take place in Hampton Hall at the Marine Institute on Wednesday, June 18 2008 at 10:30 a.m. The media are invited to attend.
On July 6, 2007, tragedy struck the Hopkins’ family when Stephan Hopkins was involved in a canoeing accident on Little Bonne Bay Pond. It took 73 days for searchers to find Stephan's body - a painful wait for family and friends. His body was recovered by a couple from the United States: Gene and Sandy Ralston. They used a side scan sonar and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) underwater camera. Within 29 minutes, they found his body.
To protect other families from the pain the Hopkins’ family experienced in waiting so long to find their son’s body, a group of volunteers has set up the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation to raise funds to purchase the same equipment for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Glenn Blackwood, executive director of the Marine Institute, Junior Pinksen, chair, Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation and Terry Hopkins, Stephan Hopkins’ father, will be on hand to address the news conference.
For more information on the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation, visit their website at www.73days.ca
REF NO.: 213
SUBJECT: The Fisheries and Marine Institute supports cause to obtain equipment to find drowning victims
DATE: June 16, 2008
Note to Editors:
The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University will hold a news conference to announce its support for the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation. The Marine Institute will work in collaboration with the foundation to provide equipment for the recovery of drowning victims. The conference will take place in Hampton Hall at the Marine Institute on Wednesday, June 18 2008 at 10:30 a.m. The media are invited to attend.
On July 6, 2007, tragedy struck the Hopkins’ family when Stephan Hopkins was involved in a canoeing accident on Little Bonne Bay Pond. It took 73 days for searchers to find Stephan's body - a painful wait for family and friends. His body was recovered by a couple from the United States: Gene and Sandy Ralston. They used a side scan sonar and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) underwater camera. Within 29 minutes, they found his body.
To protect other families from the pain the Hopkins’ family experienced in waiting so long to find their son’s body, a group of volunteers has set up the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation to raise funds to purchase the same equipment for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Glenn Blackwood, executive director of the Marine Institute, Junior Pinksen, chair, Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation and Terry Hopkins, Stephan Hopkins’ father, will be on hand to address the news conference.
For more information on the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation, visit their website at www.73days.ca
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