Communiqués

TSB # M11/2005

THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA RELEASES ITS INVESTIGATION REPORT ON THE FATAL CAPSIZING OF AN INFLATABLE RAFT ON THE MAGOG RIVER IN SHERBROOKE, QUEBEC, IN 2004

(Gatineau, Quebec, November 24, 2005) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) releases its investigation report (M04L0066) on the capsizing of an inflatable raft on the Magog River in Sherbrooke on June 19, 2004, resulting in the death of one person.

The TSB investigation has led to conclusions on the events surrounding this accident and on the way that the safety of this type of vessel safety can be improved. During the investigation, it was found that safety standards do exist for this type of activity in Quebec; however, in this occurrence, even if the hazards and capsizing risks on the Magog River had been minimized, some standards were not adhered to as a whole.

On June 19, 2004 a public activity day featuring a rafting excursion was organized on the Magog River in Sherbrooke. The raft involved in the accident was carrying nine passengers and a guide. Less than one minute after departing, the raft struck a rock and capsized, sending all occupants into the water. The guide and two of the passengers quickly climbed onto the overturned raft. Two other passengers were able to cling to rocks. Another passenger was recovered upstream from the last ledge. Carried by the current, three other passengers descended the river and reached the raft that, following its descent, was run aground on the bank downstream from the rapids. One of the nine passengers remained stuck under a rock five metres downstream from the point of capsizing. He was found some 1 hour and 30 minutes later and pronounced dead at the hospital.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault of determine civil or criminal liability.

- 30 -

The public report, M04L0066 and photos are also available on this site.