NEED TO KNOW
- Two deaf Canadian women, both in their sixties, were hit and killed by a train over the weekend during a trip to Portugal
- The victims have been identified as Guylaine Boulanger, 62, and Elise Bénard, 66, according to Canadian outlets
- Without verifying the women’s identities, Global Affairs Canada confirmed the deaths of two Canadians in a statement to PEOPLE
Two deaf Canadian women, both in their sixties, were hit and killed by a train over the weekend during a trip to Portugal, officials said.
The victims have been identified as Guylaine Boulanger, 62, and Elise Bénard, 66, of Montreal, according to Canadian television station CTV News, which reported the fatal incident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The two women were part of a group of four deaf tourists who had been snapping photos near the Douro River, according to Portugese outlet Correio da Manhã. The pair of victims walked toward a crossing area connecting a road to a farm shortly before they were struck.
According to CTV, Boulanger and Bénard were taking photos at the time of the incident.
One of the train passengers recounted the incident to Correio da Manhã.
“The driver blew his whistle a lot, we tried to understand why, but it was a straight line, we couldn’t see anything ahead and it was only when the train stopped that we realized something had happened,” they said. “When we got out of the carriage, we realized what had really happened. The scene was terrible, indescribable, a tragedy.”
The train had been moving along the Douro line when the train driver spotted the two women, honked and tried unsuccessfully to brake in the moments before the collision, The Portugal Resident reported.
Without verifying the women’s identities, Global Affairs Canada confirmed the deaths of two Canadians in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Global Affairs Canada is aware of the deaths of two Canadian citizens in Mesão Frio, Portugal. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones as well as to all of those affected,” a spokesperson said.
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“Consular officials are in contact with local authorities and are in contact with the families involved to provide consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed,” the spokesperson added.
“I was crying yesterday,” Montreal resident Tobi-Lynne Payne, a friend of the victims, told CTV News. “My friends texted me like all day. I was crying so hard because they’re good friends of mine. It’s like a freak accident. I couldn’t believe it.”
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