Latest news with #waterrescue
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Drowning at Sudbury beach claims life of 24-year-old man
One man has drowned & another hospitalized after an inflatable kayak capsized at a Sudbury Beach. Officials stress lifejacket use at Drowning Prevention Week. Police, firefighters and paramedics rushed to Moonlight Beach, one of Greater Sudbury's most popular beaches, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday following reports of a drowning. A 24-year-old man tragically lost his life, while a 27-year-old man was transported to hospital in stable condition after a near-drowning incident. Moonlight Beach A lifeguard is shown on duty at Greater Sudbury's Moonlight Beach. July 21, 2025. (Madison Marier/CTV News Northern Ontario) Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Oshell commended the swift response of emergency crews, stating, 'They (firefighters) were at the beach with the boat in the water in just around eight minutes, and they had the best opportunity to get to the individuals, get our water rescuers into the water and help get those individuals out of the water.' He added, 'I know that we started performing lifesaving actions and got them transported to paramedic services who were there and waiting.' Timely dispatch and rescue efforts Oshell confirmed that fire services were alerted at approximately 5:30 p.m., dispatching one boat from the Long Lake area and another from the Moonlight water station to the scene. Despite the rapid response, the outcome, he told CTV News, was devastating. Greater Sudbury firefighter uniforms Greater Sudbury firefighter uniforms are hung at a fire hall in this undated photo. (Madison Marier/CTV News Northern Ontario) 'With a community such as ours, we have 330-plus beautiful lakes within our community, and we will respond to all of them,' Oshell said. 'Certainly, it is a matter of travel time to get to those lakes. That is why it is so important that individuals exercise caution.' Inflatable kayak capsizes 300 meters from shore Police reported that the two individuals were believed to be using an inflatable kayak when it capsized approximately 300 meters from shore. The 27-year-old man was alert and conscious when pulled from the water, but the 24-year-old was unconscious upon reaching shore. Firefighters immediately initiated lifesaving measures, but the young man was pronounced dead at the scene. Lifesaving Society warns of unintended drowning risks Stephanie Bakalar, a senior officer at the Lifesaving Society of Ontario, emphasized that many drownings occur unexpectedly. 'A lot of drownings actually happen when the person doesn't intend to get into the water,' she said. 'This could be a fall from the dock, or, you know, you're walking along the beaches and, it could be that you are boating and you're not wearing a life jacket.' Stephanie Bakalar An undate promotional profile picture of Stephanie Bakalar, a senior communications officer with the Lifesavin Society of Ontario. (File photo/Supplied/Town of Caledon) The tragic incident occurred just as the Lifesaving Society's National Drowning Prevention Week kicked off, an annual awareness event that runs from July 20 to July 26 this year. Importance of life jackets and swimming with others Bakalar highlighted common factors in drowning incidents, stating, 'We've seen a lot of drownings happening when people are swimming alone. A lot of people who aren't wearing life jackets when they're boating.' Echoing her concerns, Oshell noted, 'When fire services responds to some of these incidents, you know, one of the things that we see most common, especially around water rescue incidents, is those PFDs, those lifejackets, and they're not worn.' 'Safer Together': A call for vigilance Bakalar urged swimmers to take precautions, including wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) and swimming with experienced companions. This aligns with this year's National Drowning Prevention Week theme, 'Safer Together.' 'Only 1% of drownings happen in lifeguard-supervised settings,' she said. 'So, this is by far the best place to swim.' Lifeguard at moonlight A lifeguard is shown on duty at Greater Sudbury's Moonlight Beach. July 21, 2025. (Madison Marier/CTV News Northern Ontario) Oshell acknowledged that Sudbury's natural bodies of water are generally safe but stressed the importance of vigilance. 'Taking precautions is very important,' he said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Very lucky': Kansas City crews rescue woman hanging onto tree after Indian Creek flash flood
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A woman was rescued Monday after she was found hanging onto a tree near Indian Creek after a morning of flash floods in Kansas City. At about 12:50 p.m., units with KCFD were called to the area of West 101st Terrace on the south side of Kansas City on reports of a water rescue, just north of Indian Creek and the Indian Creek trail. Woman killed in flash floods on Overland Park trail Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins told FOX4 that emergency responders found a woman hanging onto a tree after she had gotten stuck in the floodwaters. 'We received a call from somebody who was walking by or maybe out of these apartments that heard a lady out in the water screaming for help,' Chief Hopkins said. 'We responded, and when we arrived, we found an individual about 50 to 75 yards off the bank, where the water had risen. 'She was holding on to a tree out in the moving water, needing rescue.' Rescue crews used an inflatable rubber boat (IRB) to navigate through the floodwaters and retrieve the victim. KCFD said she was brought to shore tired and shaken—but uninjured. She was evaluated by on-scene EMS crews but refused further treatment or transport. 'Around our city, we have several areas, several creeks, several low-lying areas that tend to flood and hold water, like Indian Creek,' Hopkins said. 'If you live in or work around those areas, be vigilant. If the water starts to rise, get away from it. It's very dangerous. 'The individual today was very lucky that she was able to hold on until we could get her out of the water.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Ottawa city councillor wants more warnings about dangers of Deschênes Rapids
The City of Ottawa is looking to install signs to warn of the dangers at the Deschenes Rapids. CTV's Kimberley Johnson says there has been an increase in rescue An Ottawa city councillor is teaming up with firefighters to review ways to warn residents about the location and dangers of the Deschênes Rapids on the Ottawa River. The rapids sit just east of Britannia Beach and have become an increasingly popular location for water rescue calls. Fire crews say many going out don't know the rapids are there and are increasingly getting caught up in the rushing waters and dangerous rocks. It's leading to an increase in calls for 911 rescue operations on the stretch. Nick DeFazio, public information officer for the Ottawa Fire Services, says water rescue crews have been called to 13 incidents so far this year, compared to 15 all of last summer. 'That's a high number for already being just past July 20,' he said. 'That's a high number. What we're seeing the most of this year is rescues off paddleboards.' One fatality was reported last year. Rescue operators, as well as the city, are looking to prevent a similar tragedy this season. 'The water levels are extremely high for this time of year. Normally it would be significantly lower,' said Dan Kirvan, special operations chief for Ottawa fire. Deschenes Rapids The Deschenes Rapids on the Ottawa River on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa) New updated water safety signage warning of strong currents and dangerous conditions have gone up just west of Britannia Beach for people entering the water. Bay Coun. Theresa Kavanagh says there are plans to put up warnings about the rapids as well. 'We've got to let people know that the rapids are just up ahead and that they're very dangerous,' she said in an interview with CTV News Ottawa. Kavanagh says the nearby Britannia Yacht Club could be posting their own signage in the future. 'Meeting with them along with fire, paramedics, and police, as well as a city representative for the beaches. We're working together, so that is very helpful.' A flag raising ceremony at Ottawa City Hall marked the start of Drowning Prevention Week, put on by the Lifesaving Society of Ontario. Sean Duffy of the Lifesaving Society says those thinking about paddleboarding should do it in calmer waters. 'We know that moving water like the rapids are a more dangerous place for swimmers and paddleboarders. It's very important that people know their environment when they're going out to do an activity,' he said. 'Moving water where there are currents and rapids are can be dangerous for paddlers.' He says to always wear a good-fitting lifejacket and check the weather ahead of going out on the water.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Toronto man identified as victim of drowning in Prince Edward County
A Toronto man has been identified as the victim of one of two suspected drownings in Prince Edward County this past weekend, Ontario Provincial Police say. According to the OPP, officers with the Prince Edward County detachment were called to a resort on County Road 18 shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday for a reported drowning. 'When officers arrived, members of Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue, Hastings-Quinte Paramedics and civilians were attempting life-saving measures,' police said in a news release issued Monday. 'The individual was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced deceased.' He was subsequently identified as a 51-year-old man from Toronto. On Sunday, shortly before 6 p.m., officers were called to a location along County Road 11 for a water rescue in the area. Police said it was reported that a group had been out in two canoes on East Lake when they decided to go swimming and could not get back into the canoes. 'One person made it to shore, and a bystander went out in his boat and pulled two other individuals from the water. The final person could not be located,' the news release read. Police did not confirm the identity of the missing person. Divers with the police service's underwater search and recovery unit will continue their search of East Lake today, the OPP said.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Man drowns at Moonlight Beach in Sudbury after inflatable kayak capsizes
A 24-year-old man drowned at Moonlight Beach in Sudbury on July 19. (File) A 24-year-old man drowned at Moonlight Beach in Sudbury on July 19. Greater Sudbury police responded at 5:20 p.m., along with Sudbury fire services water rescue, as well as paramedics. 'Water rescue had responded to the incident and pulled two individuals from the water,' police said in a news release Monday. 'One individual, a 27-year-old man, was alert and conscious upon reaching shore; however, the second individual, a 24-year-old man, was unconscious and without vital signs.' Tried to revive him Paramedics tried to revive him once he reached the shore. 'Unfortunately, he was pronounced deceased on scene,' police said. 'Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends and those impacted by this tragedy.' The 27-year-old was taken to hospital, where he remains in stable condition. 'Based on the investigation, it is believed that the two individuals were using an inflatable kayak when the craft capsized,' police said. 'Additional parties on scene attempted to assist the individuals and contacted emergency responders.'
