46 drowning deaths in Quebec this year, three more than same point last year
Three recent deaths occurred during bystander rescue attempts; Lifesaving Society urges people to call 911 first and use flotation devices when helping.
Sources · local media reports
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Forty-six people have died by drowning in Quebec so far this year, compared to 43 deaths at the same point last year, according to data from the Life Saving Society of Quebec.
Three of this year's deaths occurred while people were attempting to rescue someone else. Over the weekend, a man in his 50s drowned after suffering cardiac arrest while bathing in a waterfall in Mandeville in Lanaudière. Another man in his 50s was located Sunday after a hours-long search by Sûreté du Québec divers in Saint-Félicien in Lac Saint-Jean; he was not wearing a personal flotation device while paddleboarding. A search-and-rescue operation also continued in Chicoutimi for a man in his 30s who slipped into a river while fishing and cannot swim.
Raynald Hawkins, executive director of Lifesaving Society of Quebec, said that three bystander-rescue deaths represent nearly half of the seven deaths during bystander rescue on average each year in Canada. He stressed that people should call 911 as soon as possible to give emergency responders time to arrive. "Besides a person rescued from drowning may need CPR right after," he said.
Hawkins recommends finding a flotation device—a life vest or tree branch—as well as an extension like a rope or clothing so there is no direct contact between victim and rescuer. "I'm not a firefighter, but if one of my two daughters were in my house and my house burned, I'm very sure I will open the door and try to save her," he acknowledged. "But in water situations, the emergency can be very tricky."
What regions or water bodies account for the highest drowning rates this summer?
Are there patterns in demographics or activity types (swimming vs. boating vs. fishing) among the victims?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many people have drowned in Quebec in 2026 so far?
Forty-six people have died by drowning in Quebec so far in 2026, according to data from the Life Saving Society of Quebec.
What does the Lifesaving Society of Quebec recommend when helping someone in water?
The Lifesaving Society of Quebec recommends calling 911 immediately and using a flotation device like a life vest or tree branch, along with an extension such as a rope or clothing, to avoid direct contact between rescuer and victim.
