Anti-suicide barriers in Beauce: a bereaved mother believes it can make a difference

The mother of a 23-year-old young man who died following a voluntary action on the Père-Antonio-Poulin bridge in Notre-Dame-des-Pins believes that the installation of dissuasive barriers at this location, on Highway 73, will make a difference in the future.

“It brings some comfort. My boy would surely have lit up. It would have clicked. It had become the place to end things without missing each other,” explains Chantale Roch, still deeply shaken by the tragic death of her son, Dalton Nadeau, in Beauce.

On May 3, 2021 around 3:44 p.m., a motorist saw a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction slow down to pull onto the shoulder of the viaduct.

According to the coroner’s report, the motorist honked twice, but the victim still lunged headfirst forward. When the first responders arrived in the residential area located several dozen meters below, it was an obvious death.

A year before, a 50-year-old man committed suicide by throwing himself into the void in the same place. This structure, which spans 34th Street and Bernard Road, is the tallest in the region.

No price

“If we can save one life, well, that would be enough. The barriers will undoubtedly make a difference. A life is priceless. It’s been two years with ups and downs. I am not entirely relieved,” adds M^me Roch, his voice quavering.

Currently in Florida, the grieving mother promises to return to the site to see the anti-jumping barriers during the holidays.

“Not long after my boy died, I went to the same place. I stopped my car at the same place. I looked down and cried. When you go downstairs, in the neighborhood, there was the mark of my son in the cement, and because of that, the lady had put up her for sale sign in front of her house,” explains Chantale Roch.

A terrible feeling

Dalton Nadeau’s mother says the tragedy plunged the entire family into deep distress.

“Your guy says goodbye to you in the morning and the police wait for you at home after your walk. It’s terrible. It’s violent. We must put barriers as in the most suitable places. We need to do more and listen more to coroners. It’s a priority so as not to forget them.”

Protect the population

Coroner Pierre Guilmette, who recommended the addition of anti-suicide barriers after the death of young Dalton, notes that these installations have proven themselves particularly on the Rimouski River bridge.

In Beauce, the work required an investment of $1.3 million from the government. The deterrent barriers were installed along the full length of the bridge, on both sides. The work ended on December 5.

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