A 19-year-old pedestrian is dead and two others were hospitalized after they were struck by a train on the REM tracks in Brossard overnight. The Sûreté du Québec says one of the survivors, a 22-year-old, remains in critical condition, while the other 19-year-old is now out of danger.
The incident happened around 3 a.m. Saturday near Du Quartier station after what authorities describe as an intrusion onto the tracks.
Outside the Du Quartier Station. (Lola Kalder, CityNews)
The three pedestrians were said to have been walking near Highway 10 when they attempted to cross the tracks despite an oncoming train.
The Sûreté du Québec is leading the investigation, with assistance from Longueuil police. Emergency crews remained on scene through the morning.
REM operator Pulsar says it is working closely with first responders. In a statement, spokesperson Carole Du Sault said the collision involved “a train and people on the tracks near Du Quartier station, following an intrusion onto the tracks,” and urged anyone seeking further details to contact emergency services directly.
Réseau express métropolitain vehicle. (Lola Klader, CityNews)
Du Sault said service was suspended between Brossard and Panama stations, with buses replacing trains in that section. That service has since reopened.
Service between Du Quartier and Brossard also resumed this afternoon, according to Du Sault.
As for why the train was operating outside regular service hours, Pulsar said in a statement to CityNews, “All kinds of activities are possible outside of service hours, such as maintenance, train transfers, and technical testing.”
REM sign. (Lola Klader, CityNews)
Pulsar is again reminding the public never to cross REM tracks.
“Crossing REM tracks, like any other railway tracks, is very dangerous,” Du Sault said, noting the right-of-way is fenced to prevent access.