Teen Injured After Zipline Accident at Mont Sutton
A family outing at Mont Sutton took an unexpected turn for the Leblanc family on August 16. What was meant to be a thrilling adventure on the mountain’s zipline ended in a hospital visit for 17-year-old Raphaël Leblanc.
The family had decided to cap off their vacation with a ride on Mont Sutton’s curved zipline, an attraction that winds through the forest over a distance of 655 meters. The ride, which was inaugurated in the summer of 2022 and hailed as a first of its kind in North America, promised excitement and adventure for all. Everyone in the family completed their run safely—until Raphaël took his turn.
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Seconds into his ride, Raphaël noticed a gap in the course, and before he could react, the cable broke, sending him plummeting roughly 25 feet—the height of a two-story house. He was immediately taken to the mountain’s infirmary, where he temporarily lost his sight. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with a concussion, a fractured wrist, and a sprained finger. In the days following the accident, Raphaël suffered from persistent headaches and had to sit out from his high school football team for more than a month. By the end of September, he was finally able to return to the field as a receiver.
Mont Sutton confirmed that the accident was caused by a structural failure of the zipline. The ride was immediately closed, and an independent expert is currently investigating to determine the exact cause and recommend corrective measures. Lydia Lyonnais, the mountain’s communications coordinator, emphasized that the attraction had been built according to certified engineering plans and had passed all safety inspections. She noted that daily, monthly, and annual inspections are routinely conducted, and this was the first serious incident of its kind at Mont Sutton.
The Leblanc family has now sought legal advice, hoping that stronger regulations could be implemented to better supervise such activities. Currently, there are no specific regulations in Quebec governing the design, construction, or operation of ziplines, leaving safety largely in the hands of operators. Experts say that while zipline accidents are rare, they can result in serious injuries when they do occur. Between 2014 and 2023, hospitals in Quebec treated dozens of patients for zipline-related accidents, with several requiring hospitalization.
Safety advocates are calling for standardized regulations covering construction, maintenance, and staff training to prevent future accidents. While most ziplines are safe and many operators follow strict protocols, incidents like Raphaël’s highlight the potential risks. Authorities and industry groups stress that understanding exactly why the cable broke will be key to ensuring that such a frightening accident never happens again.
Raphaël’s story serves as a stark reminder that even carefully planned recreational activities carry risks, and that safety measures must always be rigorous, regularly updated, and strictly enforced.
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