Improper training, inadequate boat led to drowning death of Montreal firefighter during rescue: report
Improper training and an inadequate boat led to the drowning death of a Montreal firefighter during a rescue operation last year in the St. Lawrence River, Quebec's workplace safety board said.
The Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) released its report Thursday after its investigation into the death of Pierre Lacroix, a 58-year-old father of two.
Lacroix died on Oct. 17, 2021, after he and three fellow firefighters went into the Lachine rapids to save two boaters in distress. While preparing to tow the boat to safety, the firefighters' vessel, referred to as 1864, capsized and Lacroix went missing. His body was pulled from the water the following day.
At the time, the Montreal fire chief, Richard Liebmann, said it was "the most difficult duty a fire chief can have" to announce his death.
The CNESST said in its report the rescue mission was going well until the first responders reached a dangerous section of the rapids where a combination of their weight distribution in the rescue boat and the amount of water rushing into it caused it to capsize.
"Firefighters intervened on the basis of incomplete information during a rescue in a sector of the Lachine Rapids that went beyond the navigability limits of their boat," the report added.
"Deficient training of 1864's crew and shoreline command post responders exposed workers to the danger of drowning during a rescue operation in an unmarked area of the Lachine Rapids."
The CNESST fined the City of Montreal under section 237 of the Act respecting occupational health and safety, which carries a penalty between $17,680 and $70,727 for a first offence.
The labour safety board released recommendations for the fire department to identify the risks associated with water rescues, ensure firefighters know the limits of their boat, and "ensure that workers have structured theoretical and practical training in water rescue."
To prevent future tragedies, the CNESST said it would share its investigation report with several stakeholders for training purposes, including the Association of Fire and Civil Safety Managers of Quebec, as well as the National School of Firefighters of Quebec.
The search for the missing firefighter involved an underwater camera, a helicopter, and several hours of nautical searches by multiple police and fire crews from surrounding areas.
Canada's public safety minister, Bill Blair, and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante were among those who offered their condolences to the fallen firefighter who "made the ultimate sacrifice."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.