Father dies, 8-year-old rescued from Ottawa River

One person is dead and a 8-year-old was sent to hospital after being pulled from the Ottawa River near Westboro Beach on Wednesday.

Ottawa police, firefighters and paramedics responded to a water incident in the river in the afternoon on July 2.

Officials were on scene around 1:40 p.m. for a missing child just east of Westboro Beach. Ottawa paramedics confirmed to CityNews that they assessed two patients. In an update, officials said that the two were a father and their child.

According to a press release, a “quick-thinking” member of the public saw the distress and was able to rescue the child. The child was sent to hospital in stable condition as a precaution.

The father was found by emergency officials and was pronounced dead on scene after “valiant efforts” from paramedics.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased during this incredibly difficult time,” officials said. “We also extend our gratitude to all those who responded to this emergency with professionalism and care.”

While the incident happened near the public beach, City of Ottawa staff said that lifeguards were not involved in the response.

What to do in a water emergency

The Lifesaving Society recommends that there are multiple protections be put in place to keep children safe around bodies of water.

Sean Duffy, vice-president of management training at Lifesaving Society, said this includes supervising children, being within arms reach in and around water, choosing to swim at a supervised area and wearing a properly fitting life jacket.

“If someone is in distress in the water, call 9-1-1 for assistance and use the ladder approach to prevent becoming a second victim,” Duffy told CityNews in an email.

This approach starts with a person talking and coaching the victim to safety, before trying to reach them with an object. If both are unsuccessful, throw a lifejacket or another buoyant object before wading into shallow water to extend the item to the victim.