Widow of man who drowned at Westboro Beach praises those who saved her son
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In a post to a Westboro community Facebook group, Amanda Laflair said she and her family were not OK, but said she was 'grateful so very grateful my sone is alive.' Laflair also thanked the emergency responders and medical professionals in the post.
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'God bless you guardian angels for helping to save my baby,' Laflair wrote.
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Laflair confirmed to CBC News that the man who drowned Wednesday was 42-year old Rowell Navarro. The Ottawa Police Service could not confirm the name of the deceased to the Ottawa Citizen.
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The Ottawa Citizen attempted to contact Laflair, but did not hear back in time for publication.
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Laflair has set up a GoFundMe page, writing that she, 'Tragically lost my husband when he drowned trying to save our 8 year old son.'
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Laflair said she is raising funds to help pay for the funeral and support the family, as she will be unable to work.
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The incident occurred near Westboro Beach on July 2 at about 1:40 p.m.
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'When crews arrived on scene it was confirmed that an 8-year old child was safely rescued from the water,' Paul Hutt, chief for the Ottawa Fire Services, said in a statement. 'However, an adult male who entered the water had gone missing.'
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Hutt said that at approximately 2:25 p.m., the man was located through a grid search and using SONAR (sound navigation and ranging).
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'While the incident occurred near Westboro Beach, it did not take place at the beach site, and City lifeguards stationed at the beach were not involved in the response,' the statement continued.
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The father and son were swimming away from the public beach because they had the family dog with them at the time, Laflair wrote on her GoFundMe page.
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Const. Fern John-Simon, spokesperson for the Ottawa Police Service, confirmed to the Ottawa Citizen that the incident occurred outside the sightline of lifeguards working at the beach.
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Hutt also shared 'heartfelt condolences' to the deceased's family and loved ones.
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'Our thoughts are with those impacted by this incident,' Hutt said.
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According to John-Simon, the adult man and his child were swimming before they were in distress. At the time, police said, a passerby walking by heard the father and child struggling, and they went into the water to rescue the child.
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Ottawa Citizen
10 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Widow of man who drowned at Westboro Beach praises those who saved her son
A day after losing her husband, the widow of the man who drowned near Westboro Beach praised those who saved her son's life. Article content In a post to a Westboro community Facebook group, Amanda Laflair said she and her family were not OK, but said she was 'grateful so very grateful my sone is alive.' Laflair also thanked the emergency responders and medical professionals in the post. Article content Article content Article content 'God bless you guardian angels for helping to save my baby,' Laflair wrote. Article content Article content Laflair confirmed to CBC News that the man who drowned Wednesday was 42-year old Rowell Navarro. The Ottawa Police Service could not confirm the name of the deceased to the Ottawa Citizen. Article content The Ottawa Citizen attempted to contact Laflair, but did not hear back in time for publication. Article content Laflair has set up a GoFundMe page, writing that she, 'Tragically lost my husband when he drowned trying to save our 8 year old son.' Article content Laflair said she is raising funds to help pay for the funeral and support the family, as she will be unable to work. Article content The incident occurred near Westboro Beach on July 2 at about 1:40 p.m. Article content 'When crews arrived on scene it was confirmed that an 8-year old child was safely rescued from the water,' Paul Hutt, chief for the Ottawa Fire Services, said in a statement. 'However, an adult male who entered the water had gone missing.' Article content Article content Hutt said that at approximately 2:25 p.m., the man was located through a grid search and using SONAR (sound navigation and ranging). Article content Article content 'While the incident occurred near Westboro Beach, it did not take place at the beach site, and City lifeguards stationed at the beach were not involved in the response,' the statement continued. Article content The father and son were swimming away from the public beach because they had the family dog with them at the time, Laflair wrote on her GoFundMe page. Article content Const. Fern John-Simon, spokesperson for the Ottawa Police Service, confirmed to the Ottawa Citizen that the incident occurred outside the sightline of lifeguards working at the beach. Article content Hutt also shared 'heartfelt condolences' to the deceased's family and loved ones. Article content 'Our thoughts are with those impacted by this incident,' Hutt said. Article content According to John-Simon, the adult man and his child were swimming before they were in distress. At the time, police said, a passerby walking by heard the father and child struggling, and they went into the water to rescue the child.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Renewed focus on water safety after second drowning in Ottawa waterway this summer
A man drowned and his eight-year-old child was rescued from the Ottawa River near Westboro Beach on Wednesday. (Maddison de Varennes/CTV News Ottawa) 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
Global News
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- Global News
Okanagan woman, 33, identified as victim of fatal Kelowna pedestrian crash
Lynn Townsend was planning for her daughter to move back home. Now, she's planning her funeral. 'I imagine at her service on Saturday is when we'll notice that she's actually gone,' said Townsend. Her 33-year-old daughter, Brittany Fraser, was struck and killed on June 21st while trying to cross the street at the intersection of Highway 97 and Burtch Road in Kelowna. 'A police officer showed up on the doorstep, and that's when we found out my daughter — our daughter — was gone,' Townsend said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Kelowna RCMP say the collision involved two vehicles. Impairment was not a factor, but speed was, according to investigators. The crash remains under investigation. 'Because of somebody's negligence, that was taken away from me,' Townsend said. 'She could have had another 60 years of life. But because somebody was in too big of a hurry and didn't pay attention, they took that away.' Story continues below advertisement Fraser was just one week away from moving back to Cranbrook to live with her family. 'My mom was just ecstatic about having her back,' said Townsend. 'She was actually going to be living with my mom because my mom's alone and she's 83 years old.' A GoFundMe has been created to help cover funeral costs. Townsend says the expenses could reach close to $9,000. Part of the funds will also support the family who took in Brittany's cat, Goliath. A small memorial now marks the spot where Brittany lost her life — a painful reminder for all who pass by. 'Slow down and don't be in such a big hurry,' Townsend pleads. 'There's nothing that can't wait an extra minute or two.'
