Father drowned, child rescued near Westboro Beach

A man drowned in the Ottawa River but his son was rescued by a passerby near Westboro Beach on Wednesday afternoon, police and paramedics said.

Ottawa police said emergency responders were called to Westboro Beach around 1:40 p.m. "following reports that a father and child had gone underwater."

According to police, a "quick-thinking member of the public was able to rescue the child." Ottawa paramedics transported the child to CHEO "as a precaution," police said in a news release.

Paramedics said they also transported the 27-year-old rescuer to hospital in stable condition.

"He got the eight-year-old boy out of the water," paramedic Paul Morneau said.

Ottawa firefighters and members of the Ottawa police marine, dive and trails unit later located the father, but despite extensive resuscitation efforts he was pronounced dead at hospital, police said.

"We also extend our gratitude to all those who responded to this emergency with professionalism and care," Ottawa police said.

It's unclear where the man and child entered the water, Morneau added.