This Saturday morning February 12 in Pontivy, many residents came to gather at the Ponteau lock, where four people died on Friday February 11 in their vehicle after a probable road accident.
On the bridge over the canal, passers-by stop for a moment. Some are trying to understand how such a tragedy could have happened here, others come to lay flowers, to throw roses into the water.
Michel, for example, arrived alone. After having parked his car under the plane trees along the canal, he walks forward with his hands in his pockets and stops to take a long look at the water flowing under the bridge. “It’s still very sad for these young people” he said, lowering his head before leaving.
“In 20 years I have never seen that”.
There is also Jean-Marc, graying hair, glasses on his nose “the place of these young people is not in a coffin”. He has lived in Pontivy for almost 20 years, “in 20 years I have never seen that, how sad”. In the distance along the canal, other passers-by watch without approaching as if it were too difficult to take another step towards the scene of the tragedy.
– Erwan Chassin
Giselle, bouquet in hand, can’t help but make the connection with her own family: “yes it’s traumatic, it could have been my daughter” she remarks, a bouquet of mimosa in her hands.
The whole community is in mourning
For his part, Michel Jarnigon, 1st deputy, speaks on behalf of the entire municipality : “We can’t help but think of the family and the establishment in which three of them were in training. The whole town is in mourning.”
An investigation is underway to determine the still very unclear causes of the tragedy. The first elements of response should be communicated on Monday.