Quebec Teen tragically drowns during a swim with high school swim club in the Gulf of Mexico
A Quebec teenager passed away in Florida while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico with a high school swim team during spring break, as reported by authorities.
The sheriff’s office in Pinellas County, near Tampa, announced that 17-year-old William Zhang was discovered by an underwater search and recovery team late on Mar. 6 after he did not return to shore following morning swimming drills.
Collège Notre-Dame, the private high school in Montreal where Zhang attended, mentioned that its students and staff have been deeply affected by his unfortunate demise.
“Support resources are available for the entire college educational community,” a spokesperson stated in an email.
“We kindly ask for privacy for the family during this challenging time we are currently facing.”
The school’s swimmers and triathletes, alongside their coaches, have returned to Quebec, with the school opting not to disclose further details about the swimming trip.
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Authorities were contacted on Mar. 6 when Zhang did not return to shore after drills. The news of a missing swimmer prompted a large search involving law enforcement, a fire rescue team, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to the sheriff’s office.
Mr. Zhang’s body was recovered at 5:23 p.m., more than eight hours after he was reported missing.
Law enforcement stated that the swim coaches confirmed they had checked for riptides or other hazards in the water before commencing drills.
The sheriff’s office mentioned that the death does not appear suspicious, and the investigation is ongoing.
Quebec’s swimming federation—Fédération de natation du Québec—expressed sadness on social media regarding Mr. Zhang’s passing.
“Even though William was not part of our federation, his loss impacts us, and the aquatic community is grieving,” the federation posted on Facebook.
The federation conveyed that they are collaborating with local authorities to determine the circumstances and reminded athletes to prioritize safety while training overseas.
