FOUR RMC CADETS KILLED

KINGSTON, ONT. • Four cadets at the Royal Military College have died in a “tragic” incident at the college's campus in Kingston, Ont., the Department of National Defence said Friday.

Few details were released about what happened on the campus located on the Point Frederick peninsula, where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, but the government department said the incident occurred around 2 a.m. Friday.

“Four RMC Cadets have passed away as a result of this tragic incident,” it said in a written statement.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is investigating, with assistance from the Kingston Police.

“As the investigation is in its initial stage, no further detail can be provided at this time,” the statement said.

Emergency services were called to Point Frederick Drive around 2 a.m. Friday in response to a motor vehicle collision and water rescue.

Frontenac paramedics confirmed Friday morning that four patients were treated at the scene but none were transported to hospital.

From the Crawford Wharf on Friday morning, Kingston Police and the Ontario Coroner's Office could be seen on the scene at Point Frederick loading a body into a van near RMC'S Fort Frederick Museum.

The loss of lives was being felt across the Royal Military College community, the department said.

“RMC'S first priority is to ensure our naval and officer cadets, staff, faculty, and families are cared for and supported,” it said. “We extend our deepest condolences to all our members, their families, and their friends during this difficult time.”

ABSOLUTELY HEARTBROKEN TO HEAR OF THE TRAGIC LOSS.

Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson expressed condolences to the victims' families and friends.

“As a member of the RMC community I am absolutely heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of four officer cadets early this morning,” he wrote on Twitter.

“As Mayor of Kingston I want to express my sincere condolences to their families, friends & everyone at (the Royal Military College.) We stand with you (and) offer our full support.”

Kingston police said its officers were on the scene to help the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service and noted that the investigation was “in its infancy.”

“Next of kin notifications are ongoing, therefore no further information will be made available at this time,” the Defence Ministry said.

IAN MACALPINE / POSTMEDIA NEWS Kingston police, military police and National Defence officials are investigating a “tragic incident” involving a vehicle at Point Frederick on the campus of Royal Military College on Friday in which four RMC cadets died.