Jim Kowalski has died in an accident in Ontario, Canada--but not in a plane crash.
Initial reports said that Kowalski died in a plane crash but a report from the Ontario Provincial Police on Friday said that he was standing outside of the plane as the plane approached the shoreline, and lost his balance. He fell into the propeller.
An autospy is scheduled later today in Koenora, Ontario, reported the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Police were called to a remote lake about 20 miles south of Red Lake at 10:30 a.m., said Ontario Provincial Constable David Lamme. By the time they arrived, Kowalski had been flown to the Red Lake airport, but was already dead.
“It’s a very isolated lake,” Lamme added. “There’s a good chance they were the only two people on that lake at that time. It’s only accessible by plane or bush road, but the easiest way in is flying.”
Kowalski, 67, founded Kowalski’s Martkets in 1983. It is now a small upscale chain of nine stores.
The family posted a message on Twitter on Friday saying: “The Kowalski family & staff thanks everyone for their kindness. The memory of Jim & his legacy will live on in his stores & in our hearts.”
