Infant dies after being run over by car at Boucherville, Que., drive-in theatre
Witness says vehicle backed over 4-month-old inside a small tent
An infant has died after being run over by a vehicle at a drive-in theatre on Montreal's South Shore Wednesday night.
It happened around 11:30 p.m. ET at Ciné-Parc Boucherville, as people were leaving the outdoor cinema in their cars.
Witness Jean-Simon Lavoie said that as cars began pulling out from the theatre, a vehicle backed over a small tent with a four-month-old girl sleeping inside.
He heard people nearby screaming and learned that first aid was performed on the infant, but to no avail.
"There was blood," Lavoie said. "I've never seen something like this."
Longueuil police spokesperson Mélanie Mercille said the baby was transported to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Mercille said the baby's parents were gathering their lawn chairs when the vehicle parked next to the tent drove over the child.
The parents and first responders are being treated for shock, she said.
Police believe it was an accident and do not expect charges to be laid.
The Quebec coroner's office has said it will investigate and produce a report on the incident.
A spokesperson for Cineplex, the owner and operator of the drive-in, offered condolences to the family in an email to Radio-Canada.
"We are deeply saddened by what happened," wrote spokesperson Sarah Van Lange.
"We are doing everything in our power to help the local authorities conduct their investigation."
The drive-in will be open Thursday night for screenings.
'Truly shocking'
Jean-Yves Martel, who runs a drive-in theatre in Orford, Que., said the incident was "truly shocking."
"This is the first time that this has happened in a Quebec drive-in in 50 years," said Martel.
He said at his drive-in, which is not affiliated with the Boucherville theatre, eight security guards patrol the area and signage advises parents to watch over their children.
While he says ensuring the safe movement of vehicles is the theatre's priority, motorists and parents must always pay close attention to their surroundings so that no one is put in danger.
"We can't have eyes everywhere," he said.
With files from Radio-Canada and Kate McKenna