Search enters third day for 18-year-old who fell through ice near Île-Bizard
Posted March 28, 2026 11:19 am.
Last Updated March 28, 2026 5:40 pm.
Montreal police and rescue teams resumed their search Saturday morning for an 18-year-old man who has been missing since falling through the ice in the Rivière des Prairies on Thursday, March 26.
The search entered its third day near Île-Bizard after two teens fell through what appeared to be frozen sections of the river. A 17-year-old was rescued and transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. The older teen, however, remains unaccounted for.
Both teens are students at Cégep Gérald-Godin. The school has assured students and staff that support measures are in place in the wake of the incident.
Divers and nautical squad return to river
Authorities mobilized early Saturday, with the SPVM’s nautical squad on the water and police divers preparing to search beneath the ice for several hours. Rescue crews have already used boats, drones, and cameras over the past two days in their ongoing effort.
Jean-Pierre Brabant, spokesperson for the Montreal police, said the divers would focus on a nearby bay after evaluating the river’s currents, which made the initial site unsafe.
“In the first place, it was the current on the Rivière des Prairies. There was some evaluation that were made yesterday and this morning. The divers were not able to go with the current. It was a bit too dangerous,” Brabant said.
He added that the current may have carried the young man toward a bay, shifting the focus of the search.
“With the evaluation that was made, there was a probability that that man went to that bay with the current. So that’s why we’re here today to try to look underneath the ice where the bay is. And hopefully we could find him and give answers to the family.”
Ice conditions make the search challenging
The operation has been described as delicate and dangerous. Cold water and thinning ice make every dive a risk, forcing crews to proceed with extreme caution. Brabant emphasized that safety remains the top priority.
“It’s a really delicate, I would say, delicate job to do because it’s dangerous. It’s cold. There’s ice. So there’s a lot of effect that we’re called here to try to make this operation safe,” he said.
He also warned the public against venturing onto the river, even if the ice appears solid. Falling into the icy water dramatically reduces chances of survival.
“We’re obviously at this time of the year. Ice is melting. There’s currents. We’re asking people to not go on the water even though you think it’s maybe the ice is hard enough or thick enough. Don’t take any risk, especially at this moment of the year. We’re surrounding one of the island of Montreal. There’s a lot of water underneath,” Brabant said.
Focus on family and community
The teen’s family has been present throughout the search, receiving regular updates from the SPVM. Brabant emphasized the human element behind the operation, noting that every effort is focused on finding the missing man.
“We’re trying to get answers to the family. We’re working really hard. The family is here. We’re in contact with them to reassure them, to make sure that we’re putting every effort to try to find him,” he said.
Crews are expected to continue the search through the morning and afternoon, with divers, the nautical squad, and paramedics on standby to ensure the operation is conducted safely.
“We’re going to be here for all the morning and the afternoon. The operation, we have the nautical squad that is here that are with the divers. We have the ambulance, a paramedic in case if anything happens,” Brabant said.
He added that the family’s presence has been an important part of the response.
“We’re reporting all the efforts. We’re working for the family. A lot of relatives and family over here today to attend the work that’s been done by the SPVM. And we’re working really together to make sure that we could give them answers.”
