Saskatchewan, Canada – Three individuals, two heroic men ‘Chris Novecosky and Joe Novecosky’, and Ava Novecosky, tragically lost their lives attempting to rescue their family members who had fallen through the ice on Humboldt Lake in Saskatchewan. The tragedy occurred over the weekend, leaving a community in mourning. This incident occurred when they were on the lake, and witnesses reported seeing multiple people go into the water. Firefighters successfully rescued a woman and two girls from the open water where the ice had broken through, but two men did not resurface.
The young girl, Ava Novecosky, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two adult men, Chris and Joe Novecosky, remained unaccounted for until divers from the Saskatchewan RCMP Underwater Recovery Team retrieved their bodies from the lake on Sunday. The city’s mayor Michael Behiel said the girl was in Grade 2.
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools expressed their deep sorrow at the tragic death of the young student and her family members. The school division is providing support to the affected families during this exceptionally difficult time, with their Tragic Events Response Team aiding the affected school communities.
The two men, Joe Novecosky and Chris Novecosky, who selflessly tried to save their relatives from a perilous situation, have been hailed as heroes. A grieving family member identified them and shared their valiant efforts in a heartfelt Facebook post. These men, described as devoted husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins, and friends, made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their loved ones.
A GoFundMe campaign was initiated to support Chris Novecosky’s widow, raising over $36,741 of its $30,000 target by Tuesday morning. The campaign emphasized Chris’s heroic act, describing how he laid down his own life for the safety of others.
“It is with indescribable sadness that we announce the death of our son Joe, brother Chris and niece. Joe and Chris heroically died in their attempt to save their cousin(s) from drowning after falling through the ice on Saturday,” Andrew Gerard shared on facebook.
“We beg for your prayers for our whole family and appreciate your support. The prayer service for Joe and Chris will be Friday at 7 pm and the funeral will be Saturday at 1 pm with coffee and dainties to follow. Both events will be at Holy Family Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon,” Andrew added.
“If you have any pictures of Joe Novecosky or Chris Novecosky , please upload to
Southern Saint Designs shared obituary and wrote, “Ava entered into eternal life November 4th, 2023 along with her cousin and uncle who didn’t think twice to rescue those who fell through the ice. Prayers for repose of their souls…. A daughter, uncle, & cousin. May Our Lady wrap the Novecosky family in Her mantle. Rest in eternal peace, Joe, Chris, & Ava.”
A GoFundMe account is created by Michelle Klatt for fundraising aiming to raise $30,000 CAD. It is stated on the page,
“On November 4th 2023, this world lost a wonderful man, and Kristen Bilawchuk lost her best friend, her husband of four years, Chris Novecosky. Chris died a hero, rescuing others that he loved in a tragic accident. In doing this, he demonstrated the greatest love, laying down his own life for others. There are no words for this loss – and no way to change what happened, but we can move forward as a community and make the days more bearable for Kristen by supporting her in a practical way at this time of unimaginable grief, shock and sorrow. Chris was amazing.”
“He was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. His heart overflowed with love for everyone. He was the kindest man in the world and had a way of making everyone around him feel good. Chris will surely live on as he touched so many with his generosity of spirit in his lifetime.”
“As a couple, Kristen and Chris were always there for those in need. It is only fitting we should show Kristen how much she is loved, and how fondly Chris is remembered by assisting with the unexpected costs that are incurred at such a time. Please donate as you are able. Any amount is sincerely appreciated by the family.”
Another GoFundMe campaign is initiated for Joe Novecosky. $40k are raised till now.
Alison Berk-Johnston wrote on facebook, “My heart breaks for Fred and Heather. Ava always had a smile on her face, I will miss seeing her around. My thoughts go out to Heather, Fred, Sam and Evelyn and the rest of the Noecosky family. Ava’s uncle Chris and cousin Joe also lost their lives being hero’s trying to save Ava. If you can donate anything, it would mean a lot.”
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service has taken control of the investigation. Law enforcement officials have stated that there were no indications of any criminal activity in this tragic incident, and as a result, they will not release further information, including the identities of the victims. Funeral arrangements for Joe Novecosky and additional details may be announced by the family at a later date.
Humboldt Lake, located approximately 123 kilometers east of Saskatoon and south of the city of Humboldt, is well-known in the community. Humboldt Mayor Michael Behiel mentioned that these individuals had deep roots in the area and were highly regarded.
The Humboldt community had previously faced tragedy with the Humboldt Broncos crash in 2018, and Behiel emphasized the importance of staying safe, particularly during this season when ice conditions are unpredictable. He advised people to exercise caution and avoid venturing onto thin ice whenever possible.
In general, Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) stressed the need to ensure that ice is thick enough to support various activities. Ice thickness can vary from one area to another, and it should be evaluated daily for safety. The WSA recommended specific minimum thickness for different activities, with clear, hard ice considered the safest for travel.
This heartbreaking incident on Humboldt Lake serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with venturing onto frozen bodies of water, especially when conditions are uncertain. The heroic actions of Joe Novecosky and Chris Novecosky, who sacrificed their own lives to protect their family, will be remembered as a testament to their love and bravery.
