Seaplane collision leaves one deceased, another hurt on Richelieu River in Montreal.
In the midst of May 2025, a tragic seaplane accident occurred near Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec, sending shockwaves through the Montérégie region. One life was unfortunately lost, and another injured individual was taken to the hospital in the aftermath.
Initial reports started pouring in around 11 a.m., with several callers alerting the Richelieu-Saint-Laurent police service about an overturned plane in the Richelieu River. The local fire departments were promptly dispatched to the scene, using boats to offer assistance to the victims.
The crash took place close to Montée Robert, as confirmed by Sgt. Jean-Luc Tremblay, a spokesperson for the Richelieu-Saint-Laurent intermunicipal police board.
Remarkably, one of the men aboard the aircraft managed to escape the wreckage, swimming to shore where paramedics stepped in to provide care. However, the other occupant remained stuck within the plane.
By 2:45 p.m., authorities managed to free the trapped individual and transport him to the hospital. Despite their best efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by provincial police Sgt. Laurie Avoine.
Route 223 was closed between McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand as investigations were underway.
At the scene, criminal investigators were dispatched, though no obvious signs of criminal wrongdoing were evident at that time, according to Sgt. Tremblay.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Major crimes investigators from the SQ were also deployed to the scene, with all possibilities on the table, as Tremblay stated.
Stay tuned for further updates from the ongoing investigation, as Transport Canada's findings will offer the most informed conclusions when they become available.
This account was initially published in French on May 2, 2025, by The Canadian Press.
The trapped individual was eventually freed and taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, he later died due to his injuries. In the aftermath of the seaplane accident, Route 223 was closed between McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand for investigations. While no obvious signs of criminal wrongdoing were evident initially, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the SQ's major crimes investigators were dispatched to the scene to determine the cause of the crash, examining all possibilities.
