4 Canadian military cadets die after their car plunges into a river
Four Canadian military cadets with just a few weeks to graduate died early Friday morning after their vehicle plunged into the St. Lawrence in Kingston, Ontario, authorities said.
The fourth-year students of the Royal Military College drove a dark blue car around 2 a.m. down the river that surrounds the Point Frederick peninsula, Defense Canada said in a statement. declare.
CBC News recorded the scene of the car being lifted out of the water on Friday, its doors were blown open and the windshield was damaged.
Canadian Defense determined people in the car such as: Jack Hogarth, Andrei Honciu, Broden Murphy and Andrés Salek.
The men, whose ages have not been disclosed, are graduating and enlisted as officers in the Canadian armed forces in a few weeks, Commodore Josée Kurtz, the university’s commander, said at a news conference. news conference on Friday night.
Commodore Kurtz said that Forces Canada’s National Bureau of Investigation would investigate “what the vehicle was doing and what caused the incident”.
She released no other details on Friday and did not return calls seeking comment on Saturday. The Royal Military College also did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
“Those young people and our staff and faculty, we all know each other,” said Commodore Kurtz, adding that the school has about 1,200 students. “I live here. I see those young people every day. And so four at once, in such circumstances, it’s difficult.”
Commodore Kurtz said that Mr. Hogarth and Mr. Salek are both completing bachelor’s degrees in military and strategic studies and plan to become armored officers in the army.
Mr. Honciu and Mr. Murphy are completing a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Mr. Honciu plans to become a logistics officer, and Mr. Murphy is an aviation environment controller in the Royal Canadian Air Force, she said.
“As parents ourselves, we can only imagine their pain,” Commodore Kurtz said.
Politicians across the country sent their condolences to the families of the officers.
Bryan Paterson, mayor of Kingston, said on Twitter that he was “totally heartbroken” and defense minister Anita Anand said in a statement that she sends her “deepest condolences to their families, classmates and loved ones as they grieve.” such a profound loss, which is felt by our Canadian Army. Force and country. ”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned above Twitter on Friday that “the tragic passing of these young Canadians is a devastating loss.”
“For all who know them: We are here for you,” he said.