Driver pulled from icy waters of Toronto's Keating Channel dies in hospital, police say

A driver who was submerged in icy waters for hours after a collision sent his vehicle into Keating Channel Saturday morning has died in hospital, Toronto police say.

An 18-year-old man who was submerged in icy waters for hours after a head-on collision Saturday morning sent his vehicle into Keating Channel has died in hospital, Toronto police say.

Emergency crews received a call for a crash in the area of Lake Shore Boulevard and Cherry Street at 8:43 a.m.

According to police, a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee being driven by the 18-year-old was travelling west on Lake Shore Boulevard when he lost control and struck an eastbound 2023 Ford F150.

Police said the Jeep subsequently left the road and plunged through three inches of ice on Keating Channel, a 1,000-metre waterway near the mouth of the Don River.

Crews arrived and initiated a rescue operation to save the driver.

“Significant efforts were made by Emergency Services on scene along with the cooperation from tow truck operators to extricate the vehicle,” police said.