Montreal senior found outside suffering from severe hypothermia

An 89-year-old man is in hospital after he was found in the freezing cold outside a long-term care residence (CHSLD) early Wednesday morning.

According to Montreal police (SPVM), the man was found at 7:30 a.m. outside the CHSLD Marie-Victorin, where he is a resident, in the east end Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough.

At some point during the night, he had apparently left his apartment through a window “wearing clothes unsuitable for the weather” and was found several hours late by a staff member.

The man was suffering from severe hypothermia and was transported to hospital in serious condition.

An investigation is underway to determine how and why he left the centre without proper attire.

“We are looking to see if there was criminal negligence involved,” said Véronique Dubuc, a spokesperson with Montreal police. “We fear for his life.”

At the same time, the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (CEMTL) tells CTV News it is taking the incident “very seriously.”

“We will be working with our partner to shed light on this incident, which we consider regrettable, and we will draw the necessary lessons from it,” it said. “We remain in close contact with the management of CHSLD Marie-Victorin to support them.”

The temperature on Wednesday was -11 degrees Celsius, with wind chill making it feel more like -27.

In a statement, Groupe Santé Sedna told CTV News: “We are deeply concerned and saddened by the events that took place this morning. Our hearts go out to the family, with whom we ensure to keep a constant contact. We are also conducting an internal investigation to shed light on this sad incident, and are fully cooperating with the police investigation.”