A search operation was launched early Sunday morning after two people entered the Lachine Canal in Montreal near René-Lévesque Park. Emergency crews responded around midnight and later located both individuals using sonar equipment.
Both people were taken to hospital in critical condition, according to emergency officials.
Emergency Crews Called to Lachine Canal
The incident happened near René-Lévesque Park in Lachine, along the Lachine Canal.
According to Kevin Francoeur, a section chief with the Montreal Fire Department, emergency crews were called to the area at around midnight.
Officials believe one person fell into the water first. A second person then reportedly entered the canal in an attempt to rescue them.
Fire Department and Coast Guard Responded
The Montreal Fire Department, also known as SIM, sent two boats to the scene as part of the search effort.
A Canadian Coast Guard vessel also assisted in the operation.
Crews searched the canal through the early morning hours as they worked to locate the two individuals.
Sonar Equipment Used in Search
By around 2 a.m., both people had been found.
Francoeur said sonar equipment from one of the Montreal Fire Department boats helped locate them in the water.
The use of sonar was key in the search, especially during the nighttime operation.
Both Transported to Hospital in Critical Condition
Steve MacDuff, a spokesperson for Urgences-santé, said both individuals were transported to hospital in critical condition.
Neither MacDuff nor Francoeur could confirm whether the two people were still alive after being taken to hospital.
The Quebec coroner’s office did not respond to CBC’s request for comment.
Two people were found in the Lachine Canal early Sunday after emergency crews launched a search near René-Lévesque Park in Montreal. Officials believe one person fell into the water and another entered the canal while trying to help.
Two Montreal Fire Department boats and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel responded, and sonar equipment helped locate both individuals by about 2 a.m. They were transported to hospital in critical condition, while authorities had not confirmed their condition afterward.
