Quebec waters have demanded two new casualties within 24 hours, with a total of 11 drowning-related deaths since the start of the summer season.
Read more: Drowning in Caspian: A fisherman falls into the water and loses his life
Read more: Saguenay: A woman lost her life after falling into the Moulin River
Read more: Be careful on the rivers and advise the authorities
Ronald Young, who has been a fishing enthusiast for decades, was in a boat with his brother on Belive Lake near Saint-Teres-de-Caspac when the tragedy occurred on Thursday afternoon.
The mayor of the municipality, Roberto Blandin, who has known the victim for years, says the 59-year-old would have taken a big step to recover the fish, even if it had been caught in a bait.
“The boat capsized and he fell into the water with his brother. At first they tried to save him, but could not. They were not wearing life jackets,” he said.
Contacting a cabin owner nearby who heard screams for help was also in vain. Mr. Young was pronounced dead at the hospital a few hours later.
Poorly built jacket
A few hours later, a similar situation occurred at 7:30 pm in the Laterier Sector in Sagune.
Mary-Eve Dalon was paddling with a group of friends on the River du Moulin before losing her legs and drowning in a stream.
“The rope attached to the board got stuck in a branch, where she fell and got stuck underwater,” said Jean-Rock Ponno, the victim’s mother – in – law.
The 34-year-old woman was wearing a floating device, but it was not attached, according to Saguenay police. So the equipment was “separated from his body” when the victim fell into the water.
He was in critical condition at Chikotimi Hospital before he breathed his last this morning.
Deadly heat shock
However, Renault Hawkins of the Life Saving Society of Quebec says life jackets could have saved their lives if worn properly.
“Nine out of ten victims do not wear their life jackets. We can not underestimate its importance, especially at this time of year, ”he says.
Currently the lowest water temperature in Quebec can lead to rapid heat shock, then hyperventilation, unconsciousness and drowning, the general manager of the organization points out.
So far this year, 11 people have drowned in the province, compared to 14 during the same period last year. But many were rescued by the militants, Mr. Hawkins underlines.
