David Rothwell, 35, dies after jumping into water at Morrison's Quarry in Wakefield, Que.
A 35-year-old Ottawa man is dead after he jumped off a cliff into the waters of Morrison's Quarry in Wakefield, Que., on Tuesday despite shouts of protest and signs forbidding jumping.
It happened at about 5 p.m. Tuesday at the quarry, located about 30 kilometres northwest of Ottawa. It's a popular spot for swimmers, scuba divers, bungee jumpers and snorkelers.
David Rothwell was swimming at the quarry with his eight-year-old daughter and a friend, according to MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais police, when he and the friend decided to jump off a cliff about 23 metres above the water.
Rothwell and his friend were warned repeatedly not to jump and ignored signs as they climbed up to the top of the cliff, police said.
Rothwell jumped first and resurfaced only briefly before disappearing underwater.
A vacationing Montreal police officer wearing a snorkeling mask tried to rescue Rothwell, but was unsuccessful, said MRC des Collines spokesperson Martin Fournel.
Divers pulled Rothwell's body from the water around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, Fournel said.
Police will now be canvassing witnesses in case someone caught the jump on video, he added.
'Deeply saddened'
Bryce Morrison-Partridge's family owns the quarry, and he said while they were "deeply saddened" by what happened, Rothwell also had ample warning about how dangerous it was to jump.
"We had done what we felt we could with the no trespassing signs, the fences. We even have strict guidelines where people are allowed to stay when they come on the beach," said Morrison-Partridge.
Rothwell's friend did not jump. Police continue to investigate.
