Man and Child Recovered After Tractor Sinks in Quebec Lake

Tragic Incident in Lanaudière Region

The bodies of a man and a child have been recovered from Lac Ernest in Saint-Zénon, a municipality in Quebec's Lanaudière region, after the tractor they were operating sank into the lake. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, December 24, 2025, led to an extensive search effort by emergency services.

Details of the Event and Recovery

According to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the man, identified as being in his forties, and a child, described as being under the age of five, were clearing snow from a path along Lac Ernest when their tractor reportedly lost stability and began sinking into the water. A family member witnessed the event around 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday and promptly alerted emergency services.

Initial search efforts on Wednesday night were unsuccessful in locating the two individuals. The search intensified on Thursday morning with the deployment of SQ divers and firefighters. The tragic discovery was made late Thursday morning, around 11:30 a.m. ET, when the bodies of the man and child were found still inside the submerged tractor.

Investigation Underway

SQ spokesperson Marc Tessier confirmed the recovery and stated that an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. While the man was not the child's father, authorities noted they shared 'familial ties.' Police do not suspect any criminal element in connection with the event, and a coroner is involved in the ongoing investigation.