Child, 2, taken to hospital in critical condition following Ottawa River water rescue

An Ottawa police vehicle parked on a road during a water rescue operation on the Ottawa River. May 8, 2026. (Josh Marano/CTV News Ottawa)

A toddler was taken to the hospital in critical condition on Friday evening after being rescued from the Ottawa River.

In a French news release sent out late Friday evening, Gatineau police said they assisted in the water rescue of a two-year-old. The response began just before 7 p.m. and concluded shortly before 7:50 p.m.

Gatineau firefighters say a drone, an airplane and more than four boats were used to assist in the rescue effort. Police officers from both municipalities also kept watch along the riverbank.

Gatineau firefighters say the crew in the airplane ultimately helped locate the child, and CPR was administered immediately after the child was pulled from the water.

Paramedics say emergency crews attended near the Chief William Commanda Bridge, but the operation moved along the Ottawa River.

Ottawa police were asking the public to avoid the Kichi Zibi Mikan near Island Park Drive.

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