Barnala’s Lovepreet Singh Loses Life in Heroic Rescue Attempt in Montreal

A tragic incident has emerged from Canada, where a 26-year-old man from Tapa Mandi in Punjab's Barnala district lost his life while attempting to save his friend from drowning in a canal. The deceased has been identified as Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Ghunnas Road in Tapa Mandi. According to available information, the incident occurred near the Lachine Canal in Montreal, Canada. Lovepreet Singh's friend reportedly slipped and fell into the canal. On learning about the accident, Lovepreet immediately jumped into the water in an effort to rescue him. However, while trying to save his friend, he was himself swept away by the strong current. Canadian authorities launched an extensive rescue operation that lasted several hours before recovering both individuals from the canal and shifting them to a hospital. Doctors later declared both of them dead. The heartbreaking incident has left the family of former serviceman Balvir Singh, Lovepreet's father, in deep shock. Family Had Sold Land to Send Him Abroad Lovepreet Singh was the only son of the family and had moved to Montreal nearly two-and-a-half years ago on a work permit. He was employed as a trailer driver with a company in Canada. After completing Class 12, he had gone abroad with the dream of building a better future for his family. To finance his son's move to Canada, his father, a retired CRPF personnel, sold his share of nearly 1.75 acres of land, along with the family's total 2.5 acres, and arranged approximately ₹29 lakh. His untimely death has shattered the dreams of the family. According to relatives, Lovepreet had spoken to his family over the phone just ten days before the incident. Parents Appeal for Help The grieving parents have appealed to the Government of India, the Punjab Government, the Canadian Government, members of the NRI community, and social organisations for assistance in bringing their only son's mortal remains back to Tapa Mandi. They said they wish to perform his last rites according to religious customs. Lovepreet is survived by his father, mother, and his only sister. Political Leaders Express Condolences The identity of the second youth who died in the incident has not been fully confirmed. However, according to sources, his parents have been identified as Sukhraj Singh and Jaswant Kaur, residents of Butala/Naurangpur village in Amritsar district. Expressing condolences, Darshan Singh Mander, district president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), assured the bereaved family of every possible assistance in bringing Lovepreet's body back to Punjab. He also said that if adequate employment opportunities were available in Punjab, many young people would not be compelled to seek livelihoods abroad. Several family members, local residents, and leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), including Principal Baldev Singh, Harpreet Singh, Jasnapreet Singh, Makkhan Singh, Jathedar Lakhvir Singh Dhaliwal, Malkit Singh, and Granthi Kuldeep Singh, were present with the family to share their grief.