Ottawa firefighters rescue jet skier trapped in Deschênes Rapids

There were some scary moments on the water for a local jet skier.

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) responded to the Deschênes Rapids around 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, after a 9-1-1 call reporting that a jet skier had become stuck and was holding onto the watercraft.

One fire crew was able to determine the individual’s location from shore and relay it to the OFS Water Rescue Team, who was launching into the water.

There were two rescue teams in the water, one to make the rescue and one downstream for safety. Two rescue swimmers were sent into the rapids and contacted the individual who was wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

The water rescue members were able to dislodge the jet ski and safely floated it down the rapids with the operator on board.

The individual was guided back to the Cassels boat launch, and everyone was safely out of the water within about one hour.