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A 20-year-old man drowned Sunday night in the Olympic Basin after attending the Osheaga music festival.
Montreal police said they received 911 calls at about 7:45 p.m. from the man’s friends reporting that he had disappeared beneath the waters of the basin on Île Notre-Dame, which is usually used for kayaking or rowing competitions.
The Montreal fire department’s nautical rescue unit was deployed to the scene. The man’s body was recovered at about 9 p.m.
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In a statement, festival promoter Evenko confirmed it was made aware of a festivalgoer’s death following his departure from the site.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic death and our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of this young man,” the communications department said in an email. “We are co-operating with the SPVM investigation, which is currently underway in connection with this sad event. No further details are available at this time.”
Osheaga is held on Île Ste-Hélène, which is connected to Île Notre-Dame by bridges. According to Jean-Drapeau Park’s website, the Olympic Basin closes at 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Evenko did not respond when asked if any safety measures are in place to avoid drowning incidents.
In 2018, an 18-year-old Ottawa resident drowned during the festival. A coroner’s report made public the following year concluded the death was “of traumatic nature,” but noted the circumstances surrounding it “were not able to be determined.” Collins Obiagboso had gone to Osheaga with friends but was separated from them during a performance. The events that led to his death — including how he ended up in the St. Lawrence River — remained unclear, the coroner’s report said.
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