Mother of Ontario man who drowned at Peggy’s Cove calls for awareness

PEGGY’S COVE, N.S. – The mother of a young Ontario man, who died last year after drowning at Peggy’s Cove, says prevention is the key to keeping people safe at the provincial landmark.

Twenty-five-year-old Jamie Quattrocchi tragically lost his life last year after a large wave crashed down on him and dragged him into the ocean, where he drowned shortly after.

Brittany Smith, his long-time girlfriend who was present at the time of his death, says it’s not easy returning to Peggy’s Cove.

“It’s hard, but I feel closer to him when I’m here,” said Smith.

His mother, Caroline Quattrocchi also returned to the site of her son’s drowning, where she said the added warning signage in the area is a great start, however that doesn’t mean more can’t be done.

“There doesn’t need to be a starting or ending point. It needs to continue to evolve and change as needs and awareness change,” said Quattrocchi.

She believes safety efforts should be focused on awareness to help ensure no one is ever in a situation like her son was in the first place.

“Prevention is the key. Life saving is important, but prevention is the key. People can’t make informed decisions if they don’t have the information, so I think the main thing is that information is made available,” she said.

Minister of tourism Mark Furey says, in addition to the added warning signs, there will be an online safety initiative as well.

“There will be a significant social media campaign to promote awareness and prevention. Interpretive panels at tourism bureau’s will erected so that visitors to Peggy’s Cove will have some familiarity with the risks,” said Furey.

Furey says their main objective is to provide a balance between public safety and public access at the Peggy’s Cove.