Saugeen River in Hanover during winter. (BlackburnNews.com stock photo by Kirk Scott)Saugeen River in Hanover during winter. (BlackburnNews.com stock photo by Kirk Scott)
Midwestern

Coroner's Inquest Into Deaths During Ice Water Training Exercises

There will be a coroner's inquest into the death of a man while on a training course on the Saugeen River.

There were no criminal charges laid in relation to the death of Adam Brunt, 30, who died February 8 of last year during a swift water training course in Hanover. It was being put on by Herschel Rescue Training Systems of Newmarket and Brunt was among a dozen Durham College firefighting program students taking part in the exercise.

The inquest will also look at the death of Gary Kendall, 51. He was a firefighter in Point Edward and died in January of 2010 following an ice-rescue training exercise on the shoreline of the St. Clair River where it meets Lake Huron. Kendall died from complications of cold water immersion.

The inquest will examine the events surrounding both deaths and the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

Details regarding the date and location will be provided when the information becomes available.

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