2 campers found dead in tent in northwestern N.B.

A man and a woman in their 20s were found dead in a tent along the Restigouche River in northwestern New Brunswick on Monday, most likely poisoned by a space heater, authorities said.

Chief Christian Gallien of the Kedgwick Fire Department said the pair set out on the excursion on Friday morning and when they did not return Monday, relatives reported them missing.

Their bodies were found Monday around 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area about 17 kilometres from Kedgwick, 

Gallien, citing the coroner, said they likely died overnight Friday into Saturday.

Police and fire officials did not identify the victims or their hometowns, but Gallien said they were well known in the Kedgwick and Saint-Quentin areas.

The New Brunswick RCMP confirmed Tuesday in an email that the Saint-Quentin detachment responded to a call on Monday around 5:15 p.m. about two sudden deaths. They said autopsies will be conducted to determine exactly how the campers died, and the RCMP investigation will continue.

Gallien said the communities of Kedgwick and Saint-Quentin are in shock.

"They were known to everyone," he told Radio-Canada in French. "We have no words."

Gallien said canoe-camping is a popular activity on the Restigouche River, but he warned campers against using space  heaters inside tents.

According to Environment Canada, temperatures in Edmundston dropped to around 3 C early on Saturday.

In the wake of the tragedy, activities at the municipal swimming pool in Saint-Quentin and at the day camp are cancelled for the week.

Maxime Cayouette, the municipality's director of sports and recreation, said staff knew the man who died, and a stress management session will be offered to employees.