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Man dies in hospital after seaplane crashes into Quebec river, police say

A Surete du Quebec police car is seen in Montreal on July 22, 2020. A crime victims advocacy group is expressing concern after a Quebec man was granted a conditional discharge last month after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a woman as she slept.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson. pch

A 63-year-old man was killed in a plane crash in the Shawinigan region about 150 kilometres northeast of Montreal on Sunday afternoon.

The Sûreté du Québec say the seaplane was seen falling over the St-Maurice river in Mauricie before crashing around 3:45 p.m.

Several hydro lines were damaged leaving more than 5,000 residents without power in the afternoon.

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It’s unclear why the pilot lost control of the aircraft but mechanical failure is a possible cause.

Police searched the crash site for other passengers but concluded 63-year-old Rene Martel was likely alone aboard the plane.

He was pulled from the plane and taken to hospital where he was declared dead.

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Witnesses report hearing a loud explosion immediately following the crash.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances.

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