Couple tragically die within days of each other in two separate accidents between Christmas and New Year's Day
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: WXYZ-TV Detroit
A family have been hit with a double tragedy after a husband and wife died within days of each other.
On December 26, Scott Levitan went ice fishing with his teenage grandson at Lake George in Addison Township, Michigan.
Scott, who was described as an avid hunter and fisherman by those who knew him, tragically ended up falling into the ice alongside his 15-year-old grandson.
Scott was the first to fall in, sparking his grandson to call 911.
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The teenager then fell into the water himself while trying to help his relative.
Someone nearby fortunately rushed rescue the pair and they were both taken to hospital.
The young boy was treated and was later released, but hypothermia set in for 66-year-old Scott and he ended up in critical condition.
Sadly he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday (December 31).
While Scott was in hospital, his wife Marylou died in a separate accident.
The day after Scott fell into the ice, Marylou traveled to the lake to pick up her husband's vehicle that had been left there.
She hitched a lift to go get the car and was a backseat passenger when a 19-year-old crossed the center line and crashed into the vehicle Marylou was riding in 'for an unknown reason'.
Marylou lost her life in the crash, while three others were injured - the driver of the other car included.
Both Marylou and Scott were 66 years old and had been married for 40 years, WXYZ Detroit reported.
Speaking to the news outlet, a long-time friend of Scott's, Jamie Izzo, described him as 'one of the best human beings I've ever met in my life' and a 'great friend'.
Jamie, who worked alongside Scott for two decades at South Lyon Middle School, continued: "The kids loved him. He was a great teacher.
"If I could remember, one of his lines was exactly, 'Don't mistake my being nice for being weak'."
Elsewhere, in a statement shared on social media, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard described Scott and Marylou's deaths as an 'unspeakable tragedy'.
"This is an unspeakable tragedy that has befallen on this family in a very short time," he said.
"Two tragic and unrelated incidents with 24 hours of each other. It's hard to wrap your hands around it. Our prayers are with the family."