The search operation for a man who fell through the ice on Rivière des Prairies resumed Friday morning, with Montreal police deploying specialized resources to locate the missing individual. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon in the Ste-Geneviève district on Montreal's West Island, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Search Resources Deployed
Police spokesperson Anne-Sophie Simard confirmed that the Montreal police nautical patrol would conduct a thorough search of the river and shoreline areas where the incident took place. Simultaneously, a search drone has been deployed to provide aerial surveillance of the affected zone, covering areas that might be difficult to access from ground level or watercraft.
Risk Assessment for Diver Deployment
A critical risk assessment is currently underway to determine whether police divers can be safely deployed as part of the search operation. The assessment considers multiple factors including ice conditions, water temperature, current strength, and visibility. This careful evaluation process ensures the safety of rescue personnel while maximizing the chances of locating the missing man.
Incident Timeline
The emergency began Thursday afternoon when authorities received a 911 call at approximately 2:35 p.m. reporting two individuals in distress in the waters near the Jacques Bizard Bridge. According to police reports, two men had ventured onto the river ice when it unexpectedly gave way beneath them, plunging both into the frigid waters.
One of the men was successfully rescued from the water and transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Medical authorities have confirmed that this individual is now out of danger and recovering from the traumatic experience.
Accidental Nature Confirmed
Police investigators have determined that there appears to be no criminal element involved in this incident. The preliminary assessment suggests the event was entirely accidental, with the men likely unaware of the ice's instability or thickness in that particular section of the river.
Ongoing Search Efforts
The search operation represents a coordinated effort between multiple police units and emergency services. The nautical patrol brings specialized equipment and training for water-based search operations, while the drone technology provides comprehensive aerial coverage that can identify potential locations that might be missed from other vantage points.
Emergency personnel continue to monitor weather conditions and ice stability as the search progresses. The timing of the incident during late March presents particular challenges, as seasonal ice melt can create unpredictable and dangerous conditions on waterways throughout the region.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution around frozen bodies of water, especially during transitional seasons when ice conditions can change rapidly. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with venturing onto frozen rivers and lakes without proper safety precautions and knowledge of current ice conditions.
