The victim of a boat crash in North Vancouver has been identified as 10-year-old Lionel Klassen-Hall.A GoFundMe has been launched to assist his family as they deal with the unimaginable loss."Lionel's life was cut short in a tragic boating accident on the North Shore, on what should should have been a fun Saturday afternoon out with his friends," fundraiser organizers wrote. "Lionel was pure joy and a bright light to all who knew him, clever, sweet and an incredibly talented athlete."He is survived by his parents, Shelley Klassen and Jason Hall, as well as his two older siblings, Julius and Abigail. "The children are devastated by the loss of their younger brother," organizers added. "Jason is reminding them that they must all live a great life for Lionel. Please help support this family as they navigate through an incredibly difficult time. The funds raised will go towards the cost of Lionel's funeral, and to help to cover the loss of income while taking some much needed time to recover."Klassen, a independent business owner and local fashion designer "recognized for dressing local film and television talent at awards shows in Vancouver and around the world," has faced financial uncertainty since Covid.As of Tuesday, $50,000 has been raised..In an interview with the National Post, Klassen described her son as "that kid where everybody loved him, and he was always for the underdog.""He was full of life and light, he was that guy, joyful, dancing, non-stop funny, great sense of humour," she added. "We were so ridiculously blessed to have him."Klassen said the woman towing her son and his friend was "an experienced boater" and "had taken the kids out many times." As such, she and her husband "did not think in a million years something like this would happen.".Lionel was killed while out tubing on Saturday near Cates Park. Around 6:30 p.m., a speedboat collided with him and his friend. While Lionel died at the scene, his friend was airlifted to hospital in critical condition and placed in an induced coma..BC boy, 10, killed when tube hit by speedboat.The operator of the speedboat was taken into custody as police continue their investigation. Officers say alcohol and speed may have been factors in the crash.Witnesses said a boat that matched the description of that later impounded by the police had been travelling at high speeds in and around Deep Cove earlier that day.
