A Quebec coroner is calling for a review of security intervention measures at the Ullivik lodging centre in Dorval after two Inuit women staying there were struck and killed by vehicles on nearby highways, less than 24 hours apart, in August Ullivik, located near Montreal's Trudeau Airport, opened in as a place where Inuit patients could stay when they flew south for medical care.
On Aug. She died in hospital soon after. Less than 24 hours later, year-old Nellie Niviaxie from Umiujaq died after being struck multiple times on Highway 20 around a. According to the coroner's report into Tulugak's death, the mother of three had flown to Montreal to undergo ankle surgery following a fracture.
She was housed at the Ullivik centre awaiting her surgery, which finally took place after three weeks. They said she was heavily intoxicated and brought her back to the centre. Security guards at Ullivik tried to deny her entry into her room because of her level of intoxication.
Eventually, Tulugak made it upstairs to her room but returned to the ground floor shortly after. After about 30 minutes, Tulugak called a taxi before leaving the scene in a wheelchair. She died soon after. According to protocol, Tulugak should have been referred to the person in charge of the living unit, who could have offered her assistance. But that person was on break when Tulugak returned and was not alerted about her behaviour until she'd already left.
He recommended the centre review all the interventions carried out during this event and to ensure the presence of a living unit manager at all times. He said security guards should also have precise guidelines to follow should this person ever not be present.
