3 children killed, 7 people injured after falling from tractor shovel in the Montérégie

Three children have died and three others were seriously hurt in a tractor incident in a small community in Quebec’s Montérégie region Wednesday evening.

Quebec provincial police say the tractor had been transporting 10 people — six children and four adults — in its front shovel. Two adults are in critical condition, and two other adults suffered minor injuries.

Police say for a reason they have yet to determine, the 10 passengers fell from the shovel and were struck by the tractor at around 7 p.m. local time Wednesday. They say no other vehicle was involved.

The driver, a man in his 30s, has been arrested and is expected to appear in court in Granby, Que., by phone later today. Sgt. Ingrid Asselin, a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec, said alcohol may have been involved.

Police are not yet saying what the man could be charged with, though they have noted that it is illegal to be inside the shovel of a moving tractor.

The incident happened in Notre-Dame-de-Stanbridge, about 75 kilometres southeast of Montreal.

Quebec provincial police are investigating.

CBC