Rescuers search for 4-year-old girl after she fell into Quebec river

A search operation is underway after a four-year-old girl fell into theMistassibi River in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Que., about 300 kilometres north of Quebec City.

The search began Friday at 2:30 p.m., and continued late into the afternoon.

A spokesperson for theDolbeau-Mistassini fire service told Radio-Canada that a mother and her daughter were sliding on a snowy hill near theMotel Chute des Pres on Panoramique Boulevard.

Thedaughter went beyond the riverbank and fell into the water, the spokesperson said.

The girl fell into asection of the river that includes rapids known as LesChute des Pres.

Firefighters and Quebec provincial policeare involved in the search, walking the river banks and relying on a specialized boat to scour the area.