French teenager dies after dog sled crash northwest of Montreal

A French teenager has died after a dog sledding accident in the Lanaudière region. A Quebec provincial police emblem is seen on an officer’s uniform in Montreal on Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, Que. - A coroner will investigate the death of a 13-year-old French tourist who struck a tree during a dog sled ride northwest of Montreal, provincial police said Tuesday.

Police said they were called to a property just before noon on Monday in St-Michel-des-Saints, Que., about 130 kilometres from Montreal in the Lanaudière region.

Sgt. Frédéric Deshaies said the preliminary investigation indicated the teen was on a dog sled ride and hit a tree after the driver lost control.

Police said the boy was a French national who was in Quebec on vacation with his family.

He was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries.

A police spokesperson said Tuesday investigators don't think criminal negligence was a factor in the boy's death, adding that police will assist in the coroner's investigation.

This report by ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥was first published Feb. 20, 2024.

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