Photo: CTV News

A Vernon bride lost her mother just hours before her wedding was set to take place. 

Ann Wittenberg, a government worker from Ottawa, travelled to Tofino, to see her daughter Victoria Emon get married.

CTV News is reporting that Wittenberg and her other daughter went surfing just hours before Victoria's wedding. 

Wittenberg ended up underwater near Long Beach. A group of people pulled her to shore, where she died.

Victoria went ahead with her wedding on Sunday afternoon, saying that is what her mother would have wanted.

She thanked everyone who rushed to her mother and sister’s aid on the beach.

“I am so grateful for everyone that helped her out of the water,” Victoria said. 

“(And) for everyone that prayed for her, especially to the girls that took care of Rachel.”

Police said foul play is not suspected.

- With files from CTV Vancouver