Tragedy in Portneuf sur Mer A 37 year old father and four children died

Tragedy in Portneuf-sur-Mer: A 37-year-old father and four children died

A 37-year-old father from the municipality of Les Bergeronnes died during the fishing trip that failed from Friday to Saturday night.

• Also read: Deadly fishing in Portneuf-sur-Mer: A fifth death is added to the four children found dead

• Also read: Surprised by the tide while fishing: Four children found dead in Côte-Nord

On Sunday afternoon, the Sûreté du Québec revealed the identity of Keven Girard, who died in the drama. Her two sons also died, but her daughter survived. Two other children of a Tadoussac family died. A total of five people were found dead.

“We don’t want to experience that,” commented Nathalie Ross, Mayor of Les Bergeronnes.

The group was fishing in Portneuf-sur-Mer, in the RCM of Haute-Côte-Nord, when they were caught in the tide during a night capelin fishing trip.

Tragedy in Portneuf-sur-Mer: A 37-year-old father and four children were killed

Photo by Jean Francois Racine

According to experienced anglers, the long sandbank can change its configuration depending on the water level. So you have to be very careful.

Shocked Citizens

Between May and June, capelin roll by the thousands on the beaches of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. For the regulars, the wait is an opportunity to meet up on the shore, as the school of fish arrives at night.

The four children were discovered lying on the ground near an overturned ATV. For his part, Keven Girard was fished out of the river’s waters by divers from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) on Saturday night.

At least three small communities have been severely affected by the tragedy. Mourning is also experienced in Les Escoumins and in the Innu community of Essipit. The families know each other and the expressions of solidarity multiply locally. “We all know each other,” repeated several citizens.

On Monday, stakeholders will be present at schools to offer support to students and teachers.