Coroner’s workplace to analyze two fatalities exterior Inuit residence

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Quebec’s coroner’s workplace is launching an investigation after two Inuit ladies staying at facility for Nunavik residents in Dorval have been fatally struck by autos on highways in separate accidents that occurred lower than 24 hours aside.

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Officers on the Nunavik Regional Board of Well being and Social Providers, which is accountable for the Ullivik housing institution, confirmed the deaths have been being investigated by the coroner’s workplace Monday.

“Ullivik administration is very preoccupied by the most recent accidents,” Kathleen Poulin, interim communications co-ordinator with the well being board, wrote in an electronic mail. Officers might be exploring methods to strengthen shoppers’ security when strolling on the roads close by, she added.

Ullivik opened in 2016 to function a residence for the Inuit of Nunavik in northern Quebec who come south to obtain specialised well being care. It’s positioned close to the airport, subsequent to Freeway 520, and is near Freeway 20.

At 1:20 a.m. Saturday, a 26-year-old lady strolling in a lane of eastbound Freeway 20 simply east of the Dorval Interchange died after she was hit by a number of vehicles, the Sûreté du Québec reported. The lady was recognized as 26-year-old Nellie Niviaxie from Umiujaq, a village of roughly 400 individuals on Hudson’s Bay. One of many drivers concerned was taken to a hospital to be handled for shock.

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The night time earlier than, a girl in a wheelchair was killed after she was struck by a car on Freeway 520 round 4:15 a.m. The sufferer, from Puvirnituq — virtually 400 kilometres north of Umiujaq — was hit close to Marshall Ave., east of Trudeau Worldwide Airport, the SQ mentioned. She died in a hospital. She has been recognized as 22-year-old Mary-Jane Tulugak. Officers are nonetheless investigating to find out why the ladies have been out on the busy thoroughfares, Poulin mentioned.

Police mentioned they didn’t count on legal costs to be laid towards the drivers concerned.

Ullivik is a four-storey construction providing 143 beds, transportation, interpretation providers and social providers. It was reported to be over capability because it opened, however it was additionally seen as a safer different to the YMCA residence close to Cabot Sq. in downtown Montreal, the place well being authorities mentioned individuals would prey on the vulnerabilities of their shoppers.

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Poulin confirmed there have been “street incidents” prior to now, however mentioned they have been “uncommon and singular occasions.” The neighbourhood is protected, she mentioned. Though the residence is surrounded by highways, these highways are usually not simply accessible by foot, and sidewalks and pathways can be found.

“A couple of eating places or retailers are accessible with out crossing the freeway,” Poulin mentioned. “Many consumers buy groceries or go to family by their very own means. For these causes, the situation isn’t a priority.”

Purchasers on the residence are free to come back and go as they please. There’s a curfew after 11 p.m., however shoppers can come again in after the curfew, Poulin famous. They’re additionally allowed to go exterior after curfew in the event that they keep inside the perimeter of the property, as an example to have a cigarette. There’s fixed safety contained in the constructing, together with simply contained in the entrance doorways.

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Residents on the facility interviewed exterior of the constructing on Monday mentioned they didn’t know the ladies who died over the weekend. Circumstances on the facility have been “fantastic” or “ample,” they mentioned. They famous that the directives state that anybody who’s inebriated is just not speculated to be allowed inside, however that that rule is commonly missed, notably for ladies.

Workers on the residence referred all inquiries to the Nunavik regional well being board.

rbruemmer@postmedia.com