A young boy is fighting for his life in Quebec City, after ending up at the bottom of a municipal pool in the Lac St. Charles district.

A lifeguard dove into the pool, pulled the eight-year-old boy from the water and performed CPR. An off-duty 911 employee who happened to be at the pool also attempted to revive the unconscious boy.

He was rushed to hospital, where he is in life-threatening condition.

"The next few hours are critical," said Sandra Dion, a spokesperson for Quebec City police.

The boy was at the pool on a camp outing.