A family was decimated during the fishing trip, which turned into a tragedy, on the night of Friday to Saturday. Keven Girard, 37, and two of his children drowned, surprised by the rising tide, in Portneuf-sur-Mer, on the North Shore. Two other children lost their lives during this evening of capelin fishing.
The Sûreté du Québec revealed the identity of Keven Girard on Sunday afternoon. The man lived in the municipality of Les Bergeronnes, 60 kilometers from the scene of the accident. His two boys also lost their lives. Her daughter was rescued. The two other children who drowned are said to be from Tadoussac.
“It’s terrible what happened,” said the minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, during a press conference regarding the forest fires near Sept-Îles on Sunday. Morning.
“We made sure to have the psychosocial resources available for the people of that region,” she added, inviting citizens who feel the need to contact 811.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
A vigil reserved for the family and relatives of the victims was organized at the church of Les Bergeronnes.
According to the SQ, a group of 11 people were fishing capelin on the seashore on foot when they were caught by the tide. The police were called around 2 a.m. Saturday to intervene.
Six people were quickly rescued, but the other five, including four children, were missing overnight.
The four young minors, aged over 10, were finally found lifeless early Saturday morning and were transported to the local CLSC. The SQ was able to confirm their death at the beginning of the afternoon, after having received authorization from the medical authorities.
Sûreté du Québec divers finally found the body of Kevin Girard on Saturday evening.
PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK
Keven Girard
Members of the Canadian Forces, police on ATVs, boats and a helicopter from the Canadian Coast Guard also took part in the operations.
An SQ investigation is underway.
“Everyone is affected by what happened, because this kind of event is the first time it’s happened,” said the mayor of the municipality, Jean-Maurice Tremblay, in an interview.
Mr. Tremblay indicates that the peninsula on which the victims were located can be submerged in up to four meters of water when the tide rises. He also specifies that capelin fishing is done on the banks using scoops, and not with fishing rods.
“They had accessed the peninsula with mountain bikes”, also specified the mayor.
“My warmest thoughts are with the Portneuvois and the population of the Haute-Côte-Nord in this tragedy. My mother’s heart is with you and my whole team is available, ”responded on Twitter the Bloc MP for Manicouagan, Marilène Gill, who then simply added: “Love. »