A day on the water with friends ended in tragedy for a young Newmarket woman and her family, who is left grieving the loss of their daughter and sister. Megan Wu, 24, was killed in a boat collision on Lake Ontario in Toronto May 31.
Her father, William Wu, said Megan was invited to the boat excursion by a friend from high school who she hadn't seen in a while.
"Of course, you want to see her and, of course, you want to spend the day on the water," he said.
Wu said they couldn't reach Megan later but thought it might be a poor cell signal on the lake or maybe her battery had died from taking photos and videos, which he said "is very, very common for her."
At 11:30 p.m., one of Megan's friends texted Wu saying they were on their way back so he thought nothing of it and went to bed but woke up a few hours later knowing something was off.
"At 2 a.m. I got up. Her car's not in the driveway. She's still not in her bedroom. I still can't text her. And that's when I had this gut-wrenching feeling," Wu said.
A news release from Toronto Police Service, issued in the evening on June 1, said that at 11:54 p.m. on May 31, police received reports of a marine vessel collision in the area of the Toronto Harbour and Tommy Thompson Park.
Police said the boat was travelling north in the harbour when it collided with a breakwater rock island, causing it to capsize. Eight people were rescued and two were initially not located. Later when police removed the boat from the water with specialty equipment, the two missing people, Megan and a 34-year-old male were found dead, trapped on the boat.
Wu said they had originally called Toronto Police in the morning on June 1 and a number of other times throughout that day before learning of their daughter's passing later that afternoon.
"Megan was a very, very caring, wonderful, bright, young person. Her beauty would light up rooms when she walked in," Wu said.
Megan was born on Dec. 28, 1997. She grew up in Newmarket and graduated with honours from Sir William Mulock Secondary School. She received a scholarship to the University of South Alabama as a collegiate cheerleader. After two years there, she transferred to Western University and graduated in 2020 with a communications degree. While in school, she was an Alpha Phi sorority member.
Since graduating, Megan worked in the restaurant industry and had most recently been working at State and Main in Aurora. Her dad said customers loved her.
He also said Megan was making plans to travel through Europe and then pursue a real estate licence.
"I do see her as a very, very top-notch elite young lady who who lost her life and was deprived of a very, very successful future," Wu said.
He said to have her taken away unexpectedly and suddenly has been a shock to all her social circles, adding that "Megan was very, very well known in the community as a very kind-hearted, loving person."
She leaves behind her parents, younger sister Lauren, 22, and older brother Devon, 28 who is married with two children.
The loss is also being felt as far as Alabama where her former cheerleading team posted a tribute days on Facebook days after her passing.
"It is with a broken heart we share the news of the loss of one of our very own. Megan Wu was taken way too soon and we send love and prayers to the family during this tragic time," the post said. "Megan was a member of the team in 2016 who was also part of the very first all girl team to compete for South at NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach FL! Our condolences go out to the friends and family mourning this tragic loss. Rest In Peace!"
Wu said some people may be flying in from Alabama for the funeral at Taylor Funeral Home on Davis Drive at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, with arrival beginning at 10 a.m. A celebration of life and reception will follow at Cachet Supper Club, where owner Jennifer McLachlan has donated her space for them.
The family has also launched a GoFundMe page, with a goal of $100,000 to cover funeral costs and "will greatly help with the legal investigation and civil case for Megan."
Toronto Police Services said on June 1 that an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the collision.
The fundraising page has raised more than $22,500 in donations.
"I am so grateful. I'm so overwhelmed with it, by the response of people being generous and thoughtful. I'm very, very flattered and honoured," Wu said.
