The Ottawa Fire Services water rescue team made a successful rescue from the frigid waters of the Ottawa River in Fitzroy Harbour on Thursday.
Officials say that around 3 p.m. a 911 call came in from a resident who was reporting their canoe, with two occupants on board, had tipped over near the 100 block of Morris Island Drive.
Both occupants were wearing a PFD (personal flotation device).
“The occupant who made the 911 call was on a rock and freezing cold and at risk of hypothermia,” reads an Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) social media post. “The second occupant was able to make it back to shore but was also freezing and at risk of hypothermia.”
Crews were quick to respond.
“Our water rescue team launched and made their way to the two residents and rescued them both and brought them safely back to where we launched our boat at 3:51 p.m.,” reads the post.
Firefighters assessed and treated both patients for mild hypothermia.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)