21-year-old man hospitalized after being found unconscious in Montreal pool
A 21-year-old man is in hospital after being found unconscious in an outdoor municipal pool in Montreal's Anjou borough early Monday morning.
Montreal police (SPVM) says it received a 911 call at 3:25 a.m. about an incident at Roger-Rousseau Park, at the intersection of Châteauneuf Boulevard and Rondeau Avenue.
"When police officers arrived onsite, they jumped into the water to rescue the victim and started CPR," explains Mariane Allaire Morin, a spokesperson with Montreal police.
Police added that he was with a 22-year-old woman at the time, and that they possibly jumped the fence to enter the pool, which was closed.
The man was transported to hospital in critical condition and officers say they fear for his life.
Quebec Lifesaving Society president Raynald Hawkins said his organization is working with the city to include nighttime surveilance of municipal pools.
"I think we need to work on education," he said.
Monday morning's incident comes just over a year after a 13-year-old boy drowned in the Maisonneuve Pool in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve after he entered the pool after hours. That pool also had a secure fence surrounding the premise.
Hawkins is quick to stress water safety, particularly after a weekend that saw four people lose their lives in various bodies of water.
People need, he said, to learn how to swim.
"Based on the information data we've had in the last three days, they were non-swimmers," he said.
The Lifesaving Society wants swimming lessons incorporated into the school curriculum.
This year, 36 people drowned in the province, which is down from 40 at the same time last year. The drownings come as the province deals with a shortage of lifeguards due to training being halted during the pandemic.
Hawkins has a simple message for those wanting to jump into water after hours.
"When the pool is closed, please don't go there," he said. "It's not appropriate to try to have swimming activities at midnight."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that Sheldon Keefe has been relieved of his duties as head coach.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.