Two individuals tragically lost their lives after being rescued from the Lachine Canal during the early hours of Sunday. Montreal fire department section chief, Kevin Francoeur, reported that emergency responders were called to the canal near René-Lévesque Park in Lachine at midnight. They initiated a search operation shortly after. It is believed that one person accidentally fell into the water, prompting the other individual to enter in a rescue attempt.
Following the incident, two Montreal Fire Department (SIM) boats and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel were dispatched to the scene. Using sonar equipment from one of the SIM boats, both individuals were located by 2 a.m. Subsequently, they were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, as confirmed by Urgences-santé spokesperson Steve MacDuff.
Sadly, the Quebec coroner’s office announced on Monday morning that both victims had passed away. In a statement to CBC News, spokesperson Jake Lamotta Granato extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families and loved ones. A coroner has been tasked with investigating the circumstances and causes of the tragic deaths.