Quebec Man, 49, Dies While Diving Near Shipwreck in Upstate New York
A tragic diving incident in upstate New York highlights how quickly medical emergencies can occur during recreational activities. According to New York State Police, a 49-year-old man from Quebec died after becoming ill while scuba diving near a shipwreck in the St. Lawrence River.
Emergency Near Rock Island Lighthouse
The incident occurred near the Rock Island Lighthouse in Jefferson County, east of the Thousand Islands region. Police reported receiving a distress call just before noon on Sunday from a dive charter boat operating in the area.
Authorities said the diver became unresponsive underwater and was brought to the surface from a depth of approximately 18 metres. Crew members immediately began performing CPR on board while emergency services were contacted.
Life-Saving Efforts Unsuccessful
Despite rapid cardiopulmonary resuscitation and continued medical care, the man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police identified him as François Lacourse of Quebec.
An autopsy was scheduled following the incident. Investigators stated that preliminary information suggests the death was related to a natural medical illness rather than equipment failure or environmental factors.
The dive instructor, Anouar Bennaid of Quebec, was also taken to hospital for observation after experiencing symptoms of decompression illness and is expected to make a full recovery.
More details about the incident can be found in the original report published by the Montreal Gazette, which you can read here:
👉 Quebec man, 49, dies while diving near shipwreck in upstate New York
Why CPR Training Matters
Water-related medical emergencies can escalate rapidly, especially when a person becomes unresponsive underwater. Immediate CPR can be critical while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
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Learn More About CPR
For additional information on CPR and emergency response, explore these trusted resources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/first-aid/cpr#steps-for-hands–only-cpr
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600
Being prepared with CPR training can make a life-saving difference when seconds matter.
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