Mackinac Island — A Canton Township woman and her sister, a former Lyon Township resident, both were killed Sunday night when the snowmobile they were riding on apparently fell off one of the island’s rugged bluff roads, police said.
Karen Schwarck, 59, of Trillium Heights on Mackinac Island and her sister Edith Bonno, 57, of Canton Township were both pronounced dead at the scene, according to Mackinac Island Police Corp. Andy Dziobak.
“It’s very sad,” said Dziobak. “The victims had been out on a photography excursion Sunday but when they didn’t return by 10:15 (p.m.) last night, Schwarck’s husband reported them missing and a search was organized.”
The bodies of the woman were found about four hours later at the bottom of a steep hill off West Bluff Drive, Dziobak said. The area is west of the Grand Hotel.
Searchers included police, Allied EMS and the Mackinac Island Fire Department, he said. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, police said.
Schwarck’s husband, Donald, is a former South Lyon city councilman and former high school teacher.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete, according to a police press release.
There have been at least 15 snowmobile deaths reported across Michigan since December 11, 2009, according to state police.