As the summer sun beat down on Long Sault Beach this past weekend, what began as a family outing ended in unimaginable tragedy. A three-year-old child drowned at the popular Eastern Ontario beach, leaving a community in mourning and raising urgent questions about water safety as Canada navigates one of its hottest summers on record.
Ontario Provincial Police confirmed the drowning occurred Sunday afternoon when emergency services responded to reports of a missing child at the beach along the St. Lawrence River. Despite rapid response from paramedics and lifeguards, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
“We received the call around 2:15 p.m. about a child who had wandered away from family supervision,” said OPP Constable Melissa Winchester. “Within minutes, the situation escalated to a water emergency. This is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The child, whose identity has not been released to respect the family’s privacy, was pronounced dead at Cornwall Community Hospital. The family, believed to be visiting from Montreal, has requested privacy as they process their devastating loss.
This marks the third drowning in Eastern Ontario waters this month alone, following incidents at Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa and Charleston Lake Provincial Park. The Canadian Red Cross reports that drowning remains the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10 in Canada, with statistics showing a troubling 12% increase in water-related fatalities this summer compared to the five-year average.
Long Sault Beach, situated along the St. Lawrence River about 85 kilometers southeast of Ottawa, has historically maintained a strong safety record. The popular destination features supervised swimming areas during peak summer hours, though witnesses noted the beach was exceptionally crowded Sunday, with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees.
“I’ve been coming to this beach for 20 years and have never seen anything like this,” said witness Marie Tremblay, who was picnicking nearby when emergency vehicles arrived. “There were hundreds of people seeking relief from the heat. The lifeguards were attentive, but with so many people in the water, it must have been overwhelming to monitor everyone.”
Township Mayor Bryan McGillis expressed condolences while announcing a review of beach safety protocols. “Our hearts break for this family. While we have safety measures in place, we must examine if additional precautions are needed, especially during these periods of extreme heat when our beaches see record attendance.”
Water safety experts emphasize that drowning often occurs quickly and silently, contradicting the dramatic splashing often portrayed in media. Dr. Rachel Sanderson, pediatric emergency physician at CHEO in Ottawa, explained that young children can drown in as little as 20 seconds.
“What many don’t realize is drowning typically happens without a sound. A child slips under the water, and the struggle isn’t always visible from shore,” Dr. Sanderson noted. “Constant, uninterrupted supervision is essential, regardless of a child’s swimming ability or the presence of lifeguards.”
The drowning has sparked renewed calls from safety advocates for strengthened water safety education. Barbara Byers of the Lifesaving Society points to successful programs in other jurisdictions that have reduced drowning rates.
“In Australia, they’ve incorporated water safety education into early childhood curriculum with remarkable results,” Byers said. “We need similar comprehensive approaches here, especially as climate change brings more Canadians to beaches during extreme heat events.”
The township has announced increased lifeguard staffing at Long Sault Beach for the remainder of the summer season, with additional safety briefings scheduled every two hours during peak attendance periods.
For families planning beach visits during the ongoing heat wave, experts recommend designating a specific “water watcher” who focuses exclusively on supervising children without distractions from phones or conversations. They also stress the importance of properly fitted life jackets for young children and beginners, even in shallow water.
Community members have established a memorial at the beach entrance, where flowers, stuffed animals, and heartfelt notes continue to accumulate. Local faith groups have organized a vigil for Wednesday evening to support the grieving family and provide community members space to process the tragedy.
As investigations continue, this devastating incident serves as a sobering reminder of water’s inherent risks, particularly for our youngest and most vulnerable. While nothing can undo this tragedy, communities across Ontario are reflecting on how to prevent similar heartbreak as summer heat continues to drive record numbers to beaches and waterways.
