The Quebec town of Saint-Rémi is grieving the loss of two brothers who were struck and killed by a REM (Réseau express métropolitain) train over the weekend.
Simon Brochu, 19, and Samuel Brochu, 22, were out celebrating Samuel’s birthday when they were struck. According to Quebec provincial police, the brothers were attempting to cross Highway 10 and the REM tracks, trying to meet up with their designated driver, at the time of the collision around 3 a.m. Saturday.
Simon was pronounced dead at the scene, while Samuel died Sunday evening.
A third person, reportedly a 19-year-old former teammate, was also critically injured in the collision but is now in stable condition in hospital.
Residents, team shaken
The news has shaken the tight-knit community and the local hockey team Les Dragons, where both brothers played for years. Team manager Josée Leclerc said the young men were their parents’ only children, describing the loss as devastating.
They were hardworking, with bright futures ahead, she told CTV News, noting that Samuel had recently graduated from university and the brothers had purchased a property they planned to rent out.
Over the weekend, Simon’s teammates gathered at centre ice to embrace and mourn together, many in tears. Mental health professionals were brought in to support players, and the league is planning a tribute, including raising a jersey in their honour.
Dangers of crossing tracks
In a statement, Pulsar, the company operating the REM, reminded the public of the dangers of crossing train tracks.
“We remind everyone of the importance of respecting safe zones and never accessing the tracks, for your safety, as crossing the REM tracks, like any other railway tracks, is very dangerous. This is why the entire REM property is fenced,” the statement said.
