THUNDER BAY — The tragic death of a city man in a mining accident at Red Lake this week has left his family and friends grieving his loss, and striving to provide as much comfort as possible to his 11-year-old twin sons.
Jesse Korppi, 35, was killed Monday when he was struck by equipment while working underground at West Red Lake Gold's Madsen mine.
"The loss of their dad has left an unimaginable void in their lives, one that no amount of words can fill," wrote the boy's aunt, Laura Forrest, in a post on GoFundMe. "In this incredibly difficult time, we want to ensure that Jaycen and Jagger have the support they need as they navigate this heartbreaking loss."
She described the boys as being their dad's "absolute pride and joy".
In an interview Wednesday, Forrest said the children are receiving love and support from family, friends and the entire community.
"It's absolutely overwhelming, with people reaching out who we may not know, but perhaps Jesse or the children's mother knows, or even people who may not know anyone, and just feel touched by the story. Lots of support from the community, within their school, and their football community."
Forrest said the boys' father was far beyond supportive of his children and was grateful for having them.
"He would do absolutely anything for them, but not even just to his boys. To anyone who would have asked him to lend a hand. He was always going above and beyond for everyone else....He treated all his friends like family."
The fundraiser is aimed at raising money to help cover the twins' immediate needs, pay for their sports activities, and provide emotional support as they heal from their father's sudden passing.
"It really is just minute by minute. We can't think of the future right now. We can't think of the past," Forrest said. "It's just dealing with how we feel minute by minute."
