Renewed focus on water safety after second drowning in Ottawa waterway this summer

There is a renewed focus on water safety after the second drowning in Ottawa in two weeks. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

The Lifesaving Society and Ottawa police are reminding people to stay safe around waterways, including swimming in designated areas and using a lifejacket, after the second drowning in an Ottawa river in two weeks.

A man drowned and his eight-year-old child was rescued from the Ottawa River near Westboro Beach Wednesday afternoon. Police say they received a call at approximately 1:40 p.m. about a father and child who had gone underwater in the Ottawa River just down the pathway from the beach.

Two bystanders were able to help rescue the child.

“On behalf of the entire police service and all the first responders who did respond to that call, we send our heartfelt condolences to the family affected by this tragedy,” said Sgt. Caroline Gallant with the Ottawa Police Service.

“Unfortunately, already this summer, we’ve had too many incidents on our waterways, so we’re here to remind everybody to be safe, to stay in the designated swim areas where there are lifeguards. If you’re not an avid swimmer, make sure you have the proper protection. Lifejackets do save lives.”

A GoFundMe page believed to have been created by the victim’s wife says he died trying to save their son and they were swimming away from Westboro Beach because they had their dog with them.

Gallant said while two bystanders heard the calls for distress and responded to help rescue the child, you need to exercise caution when entering the water.

“In this situation the bystanders intervening definitely saved that young boy’s life,” says Sgt. Gallant. “The depth in the Ottawa River varies drastically. So, if you’re not a strong swimmer, there is currents still in the water and you have to be able to self-rescue also.”

The child was transported to CHEO in stable condition.

This is the second drowning in two weeks in Ottawa. On June 16, an 18-year-old man drowned while swimming with friends in the Rideau River in Ottawa’s south end.

The Lifesaving Society says drowning is preventable, “with layers of protection.”

“We really want to stress the importance of safety in and around the water,” Sean Duffy, vice-president of management training with the Lifesaving Society, told CTV News Ottawa.

“For children under the age of five, drowning is a leading cause of death and one of the best ways to prevent drowning in children is direct adult supervision. Assess your swimming ability and the environment that you’re going to go swim in. The safest place to swim is to swim near a lifeguard.”

Duffy urges people to swim in areas where lifeguards are on duty and in a designated swimming area.

“In the absence of lifeguard supervision, use layers of protection, wear a lifejacket,” Duffy said.

“Bring other equipment so that if someone gets in trouble, you can throw a floating object, like a ring buoy or a lifejacket to help support them.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s William Eltherington