Nova Scotia RCMP reported that a tragic incident occurred on Lake Rossignol, N.S., resulting in the deaths of two children under the age of 10. The incident involved a boat capsizing late Saturday, with a total of four individuals on board, including a 45-year-old man and three children under 10, all residents of Fall River, N.S.
Details regarding the relationship between the individuals involved in the incident were not disclosed by RCMP spokesperson Cindy Bayers. The incident took place in Queens County, southwestern Nova Scotia, on Lake Rossignol.
Const. Mandy Edwards, another RCMP spokesperson, revealed that the boat involved was a flat-bottom canoe with a malfunctioning motor. Despite all four occupants wearing life jackets and the man checking weather conditions beforehand, the boat encountered rough conditions, leading to water entering the vessel from high waves, ultimately causing it to capsize.
According to Edwards, the children faced difficulties due to the turbulent lake conditions, and efforts were made to bring them ashore. Upon reaching the shore, the man attempted life-saving measures on the two children who were struggling to breathe.
A search and rescue operation was initiated shortly before 5 p.m. AT on Saturday, with a coordinated response from RCMP, local fire departments, paramedics, and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. Major Trevor Ackland of the JRCC mentioned that individuals were airlifted to hospital using a military Cormorant helicopter based on recommendations from paramedics at the scene.
The survivors, including the man and one child, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, as confirmed by Bayers. The tragic incident has left the community in mourning and raised awareness about water safety precautions.
