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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.