Hydroplane pilot dies after crash at Valleyfield Regattas

François Leroux, 56, was removed from his hydroplane unconscious after it flipped twice during a race on Sunday.

Published Jul 16, 2024 • Last updated 11 hours ago • 1 minute read

An image captured by Mario Venditti shows a boat being piloted by François Leroux flying in the air and flipping over at the Valleyfield Regattas on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Photo by Mario Venditti

The pilot of a racing boat that flipped during the Régates de Valleyfield last weekend has died, organizers said Tuesday.

François Leroux, 56, was removed from his hydroplane unconscious after it flipped twice during a race on Sunday.

“The entire Régates de Valleyfield organization offers its deepest condolences and continuous support to the pilot’s family and loved ones. Our thoughts also go out to the nautical and medical teams and the safety brigade who were present at the time of the accident,” the Régates de Valleyfield said in a post on social media.

L’organisation des Régates de Valleyfield a décidé de mettre un terme au programme de courses de sa 84e édition dimanche vers 15h15, à la suite d’un spectaculaire accident duquel le pilote François Leroux est ressorti dans un état critique. pic.twitter.com/t8xQwswD1X

— Joëlle Bergeron – Gravité (@joellebgravite) July 14, 2024

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During the Régates de Valleyfield, hydroplanes — light, fast motorboats that can attain speeds of 225 km/h — race on the water. The event was cancelled after the incident.

The Sûreté du Québec is investigating the crash, but police say it is too early to comment on the possible cause.

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