2023-09-27 08:00:00
Four people were injured Tuesday morning in Shawinigan following a platform toppled during a cross-country competition at the Val-Mauricie outdoor station, located behind the school of the same name.
The incident occurred around 10 a.m., when spectators were standing on the last step of the stands to watch the start of a race. The stands tilted due to lack of counterweight at the bottom on the lower landings. Around fifteen young people were on the structure at the time of the events, according to a witness to the scene.
The four injured people, an adult and three children, were taken to hospital with minor injuries to the head or ankles. The City of Shawinigan, which owns the infrastructure, and the Student Sports Network (RSEQ) of Mauricie, organizer of the event, recognize that the situation might have been much more serious.
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A cross-country race took place Tuesday at the Val-Mauricie Plein Air Station
Photo : Facebook / Chrono900
Nearly 1,400 students from around forty schools in Mauricie are present for this primary regional cross-country championship. On the RSEQ de la Mauricie website, it is indicated that the competition is aimed at students in grades 3 to 6.
The director of communications for the City of Shawinigan, Frédéric Beaulieu, deplores the incident but affirms that the Municipality was not negligent. This aging infrastructure was soon to be replaced by its asset maintenance program.
Another stage which dates from the same period is on site. Access to both structures was limited. They might quickly be removed before being changed, he adds without specifying a precise time when the withdrawal will be carried out.
The City says an internal investigation will be carried out.
When asked if a similar event had occurred in the past with these same stands, Mr. Beaulieu replied that if this was the case, the incident was not reported to the City.
On a sporting level, the competition should allow 10 6th year athletes, 5 boys and 5 girls, to obtain their ticket for the provincial championship.
With information from Marie-Ève Trudel
1695819687
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