Quebec provincial police are investigating a tragic incident after recovering the bodies of a man and a child from a lake in the Lanaudière region. The two were found inside a tractor that had broken through the ice.
Search Ends in Tragedy
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) launched a search after a man in his 40s and a child under five years old were reported missing around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, in the municipality of St-Zénon. Sergeant Marc Tessier confirmed the grim discovery was made late Thursday morning.
The victims were located in Lac Ernest, where they had been using the tractor to clear snow from a trail along the shoreline. According to authorities, the vehicle lost stability and sank into the frigid water. Both individuals were still inside the cab when recovery teams found them.
Familial Connection Confirmed
While police clarified that the man was not the child's father, Sergeant Tessier stated the pair had "familial ties." The exact nature of their relationship has not been disclosed out of respect for the grieving family.
An investigation by the SQ is ongoing to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the fatal accident. Early indications suggest no criminal element is involved. The focus remains on understanding the environmental conditions and circumstances that caused the tractor to break through the ice.
A Community in Mourning
The accident has cast a pall over the rural community of St-Zénon, located in the Lanaudière region northeast of Montreal. Incidents involving ice safety serve as a somber reminder of the dangers present during winter months, especially on bodies of water where ice thickness can be deceptive and variable.
The Sûreté du Québec has not released the names of the deceased, pending notification of all family members. The investigation continues as officials work to provide answers in the wake of this devastating loss.
