Quebec coroner formally identifies the two firefighters swept away in floodwaters

SAINT-URBAIN, Que. — The Quebec coroner’s office has confirmed that two bodies pulled from a river Wednesday in the province’s Charlevoix region were those of volunteer firefighters who had been swept away by floodwaters.

A spokesperson says the two men who disappeared on Monday during a rescue mission were Régis Lavoie, 55, and Christopher Lavoie, 23.

Police on Wednesday found their bodies about 500 metres apart in the Rivière du Gouffre, in St-Urbain, Que.

Quebec Premier François Legault has said that one of the firefighters used his own amphibious ATV to try to reach a couple whose home was surrounded by water in the town about 110 kilometres northeast of Quebec City.