Boy, 9, dead after being pulled from water at Britannia Beach
A nine-year-old boy who was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition after being pulled from the water at Britannia Beach on Monday afternoon has died, police say.
Ottawa Fire Services told CBC they got a call about a potential drowning at the beach at 3:50 p.m. Monday.
Bystanders had pulled the child from the water and were performing CPR when first responders arrived.
Ottawa police confirmed Tuesday morning that the boy was pronounced dead at hospital. They have not released his name.
Police said investigators want to talk to anyone who was involved in the rescue attempt, but hasn't yet given a statement.
City beaches unsupervised until June 15
Last summer, first responders and the local city councillor emphasized water safety in the area, including around a sudden drop-off, after a 17-year-old girl was rescued and the body of a 21-year-old man was recovered days later.
A man died last week after emergency crews rescued him from the nearby Deschênes Rapids.
The city hasn't started supervising its beaches this summer. Lifeguards will monitor Britannia Beach, plus Mooney's Bay and Petrie Island beaches, from June 15 until Aug. 25, from noon to 7 p.m.
A sign at Britannia Beach last year marks a sudden drop in depth. (Stu Mills/CBC)
The president for the community association immediately east of the beach told CBC on Tuesday there's a strong case for the lifeguard season to start on the May long weekend and to stretch past 7 p.m.
"This beach is a gem in the city and it's very busy ... but it also means there needs to be more attention paid to safety," said Karen Patzer of the Britannia Village Community Association.
"The majority of City lifeguards at beaches and outdoor pools are students participating in our summer employment program," a city director said in a statement to CBC on Tuesday.
"Due to the school year schedule and staff availability for pre-season training and work, the programming hours at outdoor pools and beaches are scheduled within a timeframe that the majority of lifeguards are available to work."
The lifeguard season was extended one extra week in 2016.
