Drowning in Baie-Comeau: he gives his jacket to save a father and his children

In a gesture of infinite generosity, the man who drowned on Saturday in Baie-Comeau would have given up his life jacket to allow a friend and his two children to have their lives saved.

• Read also: A body recovered in Baie-Comeau after 48 hours of research

• Read also: Nautical rescue: a man missing in Baie-Comeau

Michael Tremblay-Gémus, 36, of Baie-Comeau, shared a rowboat with two friends, one of whom was with his two children on Saturday on Dallaire Creek. According to the Sûreté du Québec, the children wore their life jackets, but not the adults. The group of five was fishing when the tragedy occurred.

“The boat rolled over and they [s]all fell into the water, but the water was so cold,” said Michael’s brother, Bobby Tremblay, who was not present, but was told about the event by a police officer.

“Save Your Children”

He explains that his brother did not have his life jacket on his back, but he nevertheless had one handy.

“The jacket that my brother was supposed to put on his back, he gave it to [son ami] “says the bereaved man.

“Save your children,” the 30-something would have told him. This friend would have managed to swim to a rock and put his two children there in safety, according to Mr. Tremblay. The other adult would have managed to reach a bank and call for help. The lives of the four survivors are out of danger, the Sûreté du Québec confirmed on Tuesday.

Michael Tremblay-Gémus, a bon vivant with a big heart, according to those close to him, was not so lucky. His lifeless body was finally located Monday noon after 48 hours of intense research by the authorities. The tragedy left two orphans, as he is survived by two young children, who were not with him during the tragedy.

Not surprised by his altruistic gesture

The relatives of the victim are not surprised by this altruistic gesture, which was possibly fatal to him.

“This gesture makes us feel a little, minimally, relieved, reacted Mylène Desbiens, a close friend. It was his personality. We’re not surprised he did that. »

“It’s all my brother. He was always there to help anyone. There is no one who did not like him, ”abounds Bobby Tremblay.

Prevention

Proud of his brother, he deeply hopes that his death will help raise awareness among boaters of the importance of wearing a life jacket when out on the water, at all times and for everyone.

“It doesn’t take a buoy in the bottom of the boat, it takes a buoy on your body,” he implores, alluding to the personal flotation device.

According to the Quebec Lifesaving Society, there have already been 17 drownings in Quebec since the beginning of the year, compared to 19 at the same date in 2021.

“Nine times out of ten, the victims were not wearing their life jackets. We can never repeat its importance enough, especially at this time of year,” said the director of the organization,Raynald Hawkins, a few weeks ago.