Quebec police continue search for woman who fell off raft

Authorities continue to search for a woman who was taking part in a rafting excursion and wearing a lifejacket when she fell into the Riviere Rouge.

Quebec provincial police are continuing their search of the Rivière Rouge near Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in the Laurentians region Tuesday after a 29-year-old woman fell off a raft and never reappeared.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) says it received a 911 call at 4 p.m. Sunday about the incident.

“Immediately, police were sent to that area, plus emergency services,” said Marc Tessier, a spokesperson with the SQ. “The company also, when it happened, tried to locate her immediately, and in the meantime, they called us.”

He notes search and rescue operations include a helicopter, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), drones, divers and people on foot.

“We had boats near the bridge on Highway 50 to go upstream,” Tessier states, adding that operations were paused during the night. “We have good communication with the family to let them know every update, every measure that we are able to do.”

He explains that the decision to continue a search is evaluated at the end of each day.

“You have to understand that we have experts on the ground,” said Tessier. “They know what they’re doing....We use everything and every equipment at our disposal to find that person, quickly.”

Tessier also confirmed that other people saw the woman go overboard and fail to resurface.

The company hosting the expedition, New World Rafting, tells CTV News that it is cooperating with police but would not be commenting further.

“Our thoughts are with her loved ones,” the company wrote in an e-mail. “Psychosocial support has been put in place for staff and family.”

The woman was wearing a helmet and a life vest at the time of the incident.

With files from CTV News’ Denise Roberts.