Work on an in-ground swimming pool in Sainte-Thérèse: One dead and a woman hospitalized

A man died and a woman was hospitalized following work carried out on an in-ground pool, which was emptied of its water, in Sainte-Thérèse, on the northern edge of Montreal.

The Thérèse-De Blainville Intermunicipal Police Authority (RIPTB) has opened an investigation into the circumstances of this tragedy which occurred Friday evening on Hotte Square in Sainte-Thérèse, in the Laurentians.

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday. The call to the emergency center reported two people who appeared to be in poor health. 

Upon arrival at the scene, the police noticed that chemicals had been used for outdoor work and that these could have been the cause of the victims’ discomfort, which the investigation will have to confirm.

“People were carrying out repair work on the membrane of an in-ground swimming pool at the back of the residence,” said RIPTB Chief Inspector Karine Desaulniers. 

The man and woman, both in their late 40s, were found unconscious at the scene. CPR was performed and both were taken to a hospital, where the man was pronounced dead about an hour later, at around 11:30 p.m. 

“The woman is currently in hospital and her condition is stable,” Chief Inspector Karine Desaulniers said in an interview Saturday morning. 

Several RIPTB police officers were also affected by fumes from the products and received preventive care. The two neighboring residences had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure, but the residents were able to return home. 

The case has been taken over by the coroner’s office. “There is no criminal element at this time,” Desaulniers emphasized. 

The perimeter of the scene was lifted very early Saturday morning, but RIPTB investigators were expected to meet with witnesses later today and conduct further checks at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews