Teen drowns while swimming in Rideau River in Ottawa’s south end

The Rideau River near Manotick. Ottawa police say a teen drowned while swimming in the river Monday night. (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)

An 18-year-old man drowned while swimming with friends in the Rideau River in Ottawa’s south end Monday night.

Three people went swimming in the Rideau River near Walton Upton-Collins Park on River Road at around 9:20 p.m. on Monday, on a warm, humid evening. The Ottawa Fire Services communications division received a 9-1-1 call reporting only two people had come out of the water.

“Initial reports were that the third resident had been under the water for five minutes and not resurfaced,” Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Nick DeFazio said.

The Ottawa Fire Services Water Rescue Team launched a rescue boat into the water and conducted a grid search.

DeFazio said water rescue technicians located the man under the water and lifted them onboard.

Firefighters began CPR while returning to shore, transferring care to paramedics at the scene. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

Police say the 18-year-old man was pronounced dead in hospital.

“We are grateful to the nearby residents who stepped in to assist first responders during efforts to save the teen,” police said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with the young man’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

Michael Strittmatter, a neighbour, says he noticed the heavy presence of emergency vehicle near his home.

“I came down went on the dock with my own flashlight to see if I could see anything in the water… I did not,” he said.

Strittmatter says the nearby dock is a popular swimming area in the summer months.

“It’s sad. I can’t express how sad we are to hear of such a thing right here in our own backyard,” he said.

The Lifesaving Society of Ontario says to be cautious when swimming in rivers and areas with strong currents.

“Sometimes people think ‘I’m a strong swimmer, I can swim in a swimming pool’, but that’s very different that a river, which has moving water and currents. It’s very important to know the environment that you’re going into and use layers of protection,” said Sean Duffy, vice-president of management training with the Lifesaving Society of Ontario.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katelyn Wilson