FREDERIC SERRE
The 1019 Report
Nearly two weeks after the drowning of a 3-year-old toddler at a residence in Coteau du Lac, a Quebec coroner will be examining the death, while authorities are warning parents to keep a closer eye on their children and their pools, especially with the heatwave spreading across the region this week.
The tragic events of June 6 happened when the child fell into the family’s outdoor pool on Des Merles Street at about 7:30 p.m.
According to the Société de sauvetage du Québec, this was the 18th drowning this year in the province, and the third involving a child in only the past few weeks. Last year at this time, the province had recorded 27 drownings.
“Drowning is a silent phenomenon,” sad Raynald Hawkins, the Société’s director-general. “It lasts less than 30 seconds. You must keep a close eye (on your child) when you give them a bath. Taking the time to educate your children about street safety is the same principle that applies to a backyard swimming pool.”
While the Sûreté du Québec’s major crimes unit ruled out foul play regarding the Coteau du Lac incident, a coroner will be examining the case.
The SQ did not say whether the child was a girl or a boy.
The parents of the child called 911 after finding the toddler at the bottom of their pool. Police and paramedics raced to the scene and performed CPR on the victim, who was rushed to a hospital, but was later declared dead.