Four Royal Military College cadets killed in Kingston, Ont. incident
Four Royal Military College cadets killed in Kingston, Ont. incident
Four cadets at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. set to graduate this spring have been killed in an incident involving a motor vehicle.
Emergency crews responded to an incident at approximately 2 a.m. Friday at Point Frederick on the RMC campus.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm the devastating loss of four of our officer cadets,” Commodore Josée Kurtz, RMC Commandant, said.
“These four amazing young adults were fourth year students and were set to graduate with their university degree and commission of officers of the Canadian Armed Forces.”
The four victims have been identified as:
- Officer Cadet Jack Hogarth
- Officer Cadet Andrei Honciu
- Officer Cadet Broden Murphy
- Officer Cadet Andrès Salek
Emergency vehicles were still at Point Frederick on Friday afternoon. A crane removed a green vehicle from the water shortly after 4 p.m.
“As you can appreciate, the entire RMC community is devastated by this tragic loss,” Commodore Kurtz said.
Kurtz said the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is currently investigating, with assistance from the Kingston Police Force. Kurtz would not say whether a military vehicle was involved in the crash, and wouldn’t speculate on the cause of the crash.
Earlier in the afternoon, CTV News Ottawa cameras spotted officials placing a body on a stretcher into a van as military police watched.
“A this time, RMC’s priority is to ensure our naval and officer cadets, our staff and our facility and our families are cared for and are supported. The RMC community is a close-knit community and we’re rallying behind each other on and off campus,” Kurtz said.
DND said earlier Friday there was a fatal incident involving a vehicle.
“RMC’s first priority is to ensure our Naval and Officer Cadets, staff, faculty, and families are cared for and supported,” DND said in a statement to CTV News.
“This loss is felt across the RMC community and we extend our deepest condolences to all our members, their families, and their friends during this difficult time.”
The fatal accident comes at the end of the winter term at Royal Military College. According to the RMC website, the final day of the winter term is April 30.
Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson released a statement on the deaths of the four cadets at RMC.
“As a member of the RMC community I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of 4 officer cadets early this morning,” Paterson said on Twitter.
“As Mayor of Kingston I want to express my sincere condolences to their families, friends & everyone at RMC. We stand with you & offer our full support.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended condolences to the families and friends of the four cadets in the incident.
“My heart breaks for the families and friends of the four cadet officers who lost their lives early this morning in Kingston,” Trudeau said in a statement on Twitter late Friday afternoon.
“The tragic passing of these young Canadians is a devastating loss. To all who knew them: We’re here for you.”
Premier Doug Ford said, “On behalf of all Ontarians, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young cadets who tragically lost their lives in Kingston today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
Conservative Party leader Candice Bergen said, “My thoughts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the RMC cadets. I pray for all of those who were affected by this tragedy.”
Conservative MP Erin O’Toole tweeted, “Terribly sad news from the Royal Military College where exceptional young Canadians go to serve. My heartfelt condolences to their families & the RMC family.”
Point Frederick is a peninsula where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two young ER doctors quit Montreal jobs, blaming Quebec's broken health-care system and Bill 96
Two young emergency room doctors, raised and trained in Montreal, are leaving their jobs after only two years to move back to Toronto – and they say the Quebec health-care model and Bill 96 are to blame.

Crown seeks to revoke bail for 'Freedom Convoy' organizer Tamara Lich
The Crown is seeking to revoke bail for Tamara Lich, a leader of the "Freedom Convoy," after she appeared alongside a fellow organizer in an alleged breach of her conditions.
Gunman fired more than 70 rounds at July 4 parade, killing seven: police
The gunman who attacked an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago fired more than 70 rounds with an AR-15-style gun that killed at least seven people, then evaded initial capture by dressing as a woman and blending into the fleeing crowd, police said Tuesday.
Bank of Canada's rapid rate hikes likely to cause a recession, study finds
The Bank of Canada's strategy of rapidly increasing its key interest rate in an effort to tackle skyrocketing inflation will likely trigger a recession, says a new study released Tuesday from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Canada is the first country to ratify Finland and Sweden's accession to join NATO
Canada became the first country to ratify Finland and Sweden's accession protocols to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday.
Grab a seat: Passport lineups prompt Canada to urgently procure hundreds of chairs
As passport processing delays and long lineups persist at Service Canada offices, the federal government is looking to buy 801 chairs for people standing in line by the end of this week.
Assembly National Chief Archibald takes stage at meeting despite suspension
Dressed in Indigenous regalia, National Chief RoseAnne Archibald strode into the annual Assembly of First Nations gathering in Vancouver ahead of a group of chanting supporters on Tuesday. Just the day before, Archibald said she had been 'erased' from the agenda after her suspension in June. Instead, she led opening ceremonies and welcomed attendees in her opening address.
What we know about the Highland Park shooting suspect
Hours after gunfire interrupted the Highland Park, Illinois, July Fourth parade, killing six people and wounding dozens more, police apprehended the man they believe was responsible.
Cancelled flights have northern Ont. hospital risking ER closure
With doctor shortages causing emergency rooms around the country to shut down, a northern Ontario hospital is scrambling to stave off the same fate.