Boy, 9, and grandfather die while ice skating on frozen lake
A nine-year-old boy and his grandfather have both died after falling through ice while skating on a frozen lake.
Nicolas Payeur was ice skating on the lake near Gerard Payeur's home in Ascot Corner, close to Quebec, when he fell through the ice. Gerard slipped in afterwards when he was trying to save him, according to CBS News.
Other members of the family saw the accident happen, and called emergency services, who took them both to hospital.
Nicolas' father also attempted to rescue his son, and his grandmother is being treated for hypothermia after trying to help them both.
Mr Payeur died shortly after arriving at the hospital on Friday afternoon, while his grandson died on Saturday morning.
According to ninemsn.com, the boy's uncle, Dave Benneth, told local newspaper La Tribune he could not understand why Mr Payeur allowed his grandson to go skating when the ice was so thin.
"I imagine he wanted to make Nicholas happy by agreeing to go skating. Once he was on the dock, Nicolas put on his skates and pushed a hockey puck out into the middle of the lake," said Mr Benneth.
"It was probably when he skated out to get it that the ice broke. Gerard would have tried to save him, but he also fell into the lake."
He said the family were devastated by the tragedy.
Police believe the ice may have been thinner in the centre of the lake, which Gerard might not have been aware of.
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