The freezing rain storm that swept through Quebec on Wednesday claimed its first victim, when a man died in Montérégie while trying to cut tree branches on his land.
The incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning on Principale Street in the municipality of Les Coteaux.
According to information from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the man in his sixties found himself prisoner under a “big branch” which fell on him.
Unconscious when first responders arrived, the man finally succumbed to his injuries at the scene, despite resuscitation maneuvers that were performed on him.
An investigation is underway, “but at first glance, it would be a sad accident,” said Sergeant Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, spokesperson for the SQ.
Many branches – as well as complete trees – fell following the weather cocktail on Wednesday, which mixed rain, ice and snow in places.
Hydro-Quebec reminded that pruning or felling a tree can be dangerous at present, especially if there are electrical wires nearby.
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