One dead, one injured after seaplane crashes into Richelieu River Montreal

A car from the Richelieu-Saint-Laurent police department in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on Monday, October 20, 2014. (The Canadian Press/Pascal Marchand)

Two people were taken to hospital Friday after a seaplane crashed into a river near Saint-Basile-le-Grand, in the Montérégie region. One of them later died of their injuries.

Around 11 a.m., the Richelieu–Saint-Laurent police service received several calls reporting an overturned plane in the Richelieu River.

Municipal fire services were dispatched to the scene and used boats to assist the victims.

The crash occurred near Montée Robert, said Sgt. Jean-Luc Tremblay, spokesperson for the Richelieu–Saint-Laurent intermunicipal police board.

Police said one of the two men aboard the aircraft managed to escape after the crash. He swam to shore, where paramedics took over his care.

The other occupant remained trapped inside the plane.

Around 2:45 p.m., police confirmed the man inside the aircraft had been evacuated and taken to hospital. He was later pronounced dead, according to provincial police (SQ) Sgt. Laurie Avoine.

Route 223 was closed between McMasterville and Saint-Basile-le-Grand.

Criminal investigators were sent to the scene, though “no criminal elements have been observed at this time,” said Sgt. Tremblay.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Major crimes investigators from the SQ were also sent to the scene.

“All hypotheses are on the table,” Tremblay said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 2, 2024.