‘We are working for the family’: Search continues for 18-year-old missing after 2 teens fall through ice near Île-Bizard

Emergency services in Montreal continued their search on Friday morning for an 18-year-old man who remains missing after two teens fell through the ice in the Rivière des Prairies, near Jacques-Bizard Boulevard, in the L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève borough on Thursday afternoon.

Both of the young men are students at the nearby Cégep Gérald-Godin, the school and authorities confirmed. Measures are being taken to support students and staff.

“Some searches continued yesterday all evening and we’re not able to locate him. And yesterday evening it was getting dark, so it was pretty, it was pretty unsafe for first responders to search,” said Jean-Pierre Brabant, Montreal Police (SPVM) spokesperson, on Friday morning on the banks of the river.

“We’re working for the family. That’s the first thing that we’re doing at this point is to work for the family. And with the effort that we’re putting, hopefully we could find him as soon as possible,” Brabant said.

The search for the student who is still missing is being led by the Montreal police and the SPVM’s water patrol unit has deployed two boats and a drone as part of the effort. The rescue operation also involves the Montreal fire department and Urgence Santé. Police officers are continuing to patrol the riverbank, while a specialized drone unit assists from above.

Authorities said a 911 call was received around 2:35 p.m. reporting that two people were in distress in the water. One of the young men – 17-years-old – was rescued and transported to a nearby hospital. He was conscious during transport, and his condition is considered stable.

According to initial reports, the two young men had ventured onto what seemed to be the river’s frozen surface, walking, when it gave way.

Brabant said the SPVM didn’t have a timeline for the search activities.

“There’s always gonna be hope I’m not gonna lie to you at this moment with the water and the effort over put on and the time that’s been continue,” explained Brabant. “We’re always gonna try to find it as soon as possible and to put the effort – and I would say the belief will always be there.”

“My thoughts are with the families, friends, and the entire student community, who are going through an extremely difficult time,” said Danielle Myrand, borough mayor of L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève, in a statement to CityNews.

“I wish to remind everyone of the importance of exercising caution: at this time of year, ice is particularly fragile and can give way without warning,” Myrand added.

As the search continues, officers are speaking with witnesses in the area.

Ernest Wright, who lives next to Rivière des Prairies near Cégep Gérald-Godin, said the incident was unusual in the neighbourhood.

“I’m surprised,” Wright said. “All the years that I lived here haven’t had more of this people going through the ice.”

Wright said the tragic incident involving the teens comes after a close call last week when a dog went past the ice and the owner who went after the dog also fell in. Both managed to get out safely.

At this stage, there is no indication of criminal activity. The incident appears to be accidental, and witnesses are being interviewed by SPVM investigators at the scene.

The Quebec branch of the Lifesaving Society says that each year about seven Quebecers lose their lives to drowning during the winter. While spring began a week ago, Montreal is still facing winter-like weather. That being said, the Lifesaving Society adds that it’s this time of the year that the thickness of the ice is underestimated. 

Raynold Hawkins, executive director of the group, advised caution before people engage on activities like ice fishing or on snowmobile.

“We recommend if you don’t know those minimum requirements like 10 to 12 centimeters, please don’t go on ice because we think the thickness is lower than we expect to maintain you,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins added that the incident at L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève should be used used to create awareness about risks.

“Last winter, we launched a lot of media campaign with website and PSA on television to promote you need to know what is the minimum inches on the for the thickness on the lakes and rivers,” Hawkins said.

“We need to focus again with those teenagers or young adults to try to make sure they understand the risk they have if they go on on the rivers,” Hawkins added.