Article – The devastating funicular accident in Lisbon last month that claimed one Ottawa life and seriously injured another has prompted an outpouring of community support, demonstrating how quickly our city rallies around its own in times of crisis.
Ottawa resident Fern Bessette remains hospitalized in Portugal following the December 11 tragedy that killed her husband René Bessette when a historic tram derailed near the Bica neighborhood of Lisbon. The couple had been celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with a European vacation when disaster struck.
Friends of the family launched a GoFundMe campaign that has already raised over $28,000 to help with mounting medical expenses and eventual transportation costs to bring Fern home to Ottawa. The response reflects our community’s compassionate nature when facing unexpected tragedy.
“The medical costs in Portugal are mounting daily, and we know the air ambulance to bring Fern home will be extremely expensive,” said campaign organizer Marie Dumont, a longtime friend of the couple. “Their insurance will only cover a portion of these expenses.”
The accident occurred when the Gloria funicular, a popular tourist attraction dating back to 1885, experienced a brake failure while descending a steep hill. Portuguese authorities continue investigating the incident that injured 16 passengers in total.
Ottawa West-Nepean MP Anita Vandenbeld has been working with Global Affairs Canada to provide consular assistance to the family. “Our office is doing everything possible to support the Bessette family during this unimaginably difficult time,” Vandenbeld told me yesterday.
The couple was well-known in Ottawa’s Civic Hospital neighborhood, where they had lived for over 30 years. René, 72, had retired from the public service in 2015 after a long career with Transport Canada. Fern, 70, had worked as an elementary school teacher at École élémentaire catholique Saint-François-d’Assise until her retirement.
“They were the kind of neighbors who always cleared your walkway after a snowstorm without being asked,” said James Morrison, who lives across the street from the Bessette home. “This neighborhood won’t be the same without René’s friendly wave and conversation.”
Local Portuguese-Canadian community groups have also mobilized support. The Portuguese Community Centre on Lisgar Street held a fundraising dinner last weekend that collected an additional $5,000 for the family.
“As Portuguese-Canadians who understand both countries, we feel especially connected to this tragedy,” explained Antonio Santos, president of the Ottawa Portuguese Community Centre. “We’re working with our contacts in Lisbon to ensure Fern receives the best possible care.”
Medical experts note that international medical emergencies create complex challenges for families. Dr. Sarah Goldman, an emergency physician at The Ottawa Hospital who specializes in travel medicine but isn’t involved in this case, explained that medical repatriation often costs between $25,000 and $100,000 depending on the patient’s condition.
“Air ambulances require specialized medical equipment and personnel. The costs escalate quickly when patients need critical care during transport,” Dr. Goldman said.
The family hopes to bring Fern back to Ottawa within the next two weeks, depending on her medical stability. She suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries in the accident but is now in stable condition.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder for Ottawa residents planning international travel. Global Affairs Canada recommends comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers medical evacuation, as basic policies often cap coverage at levels insufficient for serious emergencies abroad.
For those wishing to help, the GoFundMe campaign “Bring Fern Home” continues accepting donations. Community members have also organized meal deliveries for the couple’s adult children, who are dividing time between Ottawa and Lisbon while managing family affairs.
As our city has demonstrated countless times before, Ottawa’s greatest strength emerges in times of crisis – when neighbors become family and strangers become friends, all united by the simple human desire to help when it matters most.
