Man Found Dead in Batiscan River in Mauricie
A lifeless body was found on Sunday morning in the Batiscan river in the Lac-aux-Sables sector of Mauricie. The victim has been identified as an 80-year-old man who had been missing since Friday in Notre-Dame-de-Montauban.
Eyewitnesses reported that the river had overflowed its banks, scattering debris across the surrounding land. The victim attempted to save his furniture, but while crossing the road, the ground gave way beneath his feet and he was swept away.
A witness who attempted to rescue the victim described the scene: “He was standing right at the end of his driveway and he disappeared. My dad came running and miraculously caught his hand. At that point, I ran inside to get some rope. We threw it to him, he grabbed it, we had him for 30 seconds […] And then he left.”
Another acquaintance expressed grief and disbelief, stating, “I knew him very well. I’m having trouble finding words, it’s so sad. It could have happened to anyone, but it had to happen to him. It must have been horrible.”
Disappearance in Mauricie: Body Found in Batiscan River
An investigation is underway after the body of an eighty-year-old man was found in the Batiscan River in Mauricie. The incident occurred on [Date of incident], sparking concern and reminding residents of previous tragedies in the area.
Memories Resurface
The discovery evokes painful memories for Lucie Rusztyn, who in 2019 recovered the body of another young father who had drowned in the same river. “Of course we look back on it and it’s never a good memory. Sometimes the current is very strong. It can get dangerous very quickly,” she shared with the Journal.
Recent Tragdies
This latest incident is just one of several concerning events in the area. In July 2022, a 49-year-old man drowned in the Batiscan River, and in April, another man in his sixties died after being found unconscious near a boat. The cause of death in the latter case has not been confirmed.
Limited Connectivity
It’s important to note that cellular coverage is unavailable in Notre-Dame-de-Montauban. This lack of connectivity can make it difficult to reach emergency services in an emergency.It is absolutely crazy to think that in 2024, we still do not have a cellular network. One citizen lamented during the journal excerpt. During the drownings in 2019 and 2022, the companions attempted to reach emergency services but were unsuccessful. On several occasions, the municipality’s mayor has urged governments to take action on the issue. an announcement was made by Quebec last July regarding the development of a cell site in the area. Work is underway, but it is not expected to be completed before early 2026.