Person pulled from Rideau River using resident’s canoe
Posted Apr 4, 2025 11:22:05 AM.
Last Updated Apr 4, 2025 11:22:10 AM.
Firefighters saved the life of a kayaker with a little assistance from a nearby resident on Thursday afternoon.
Crews were called to the Rideau River near Bank and Smyth streets after Ottawa police told them a person had flipped their boat and was in distress. Arriving in three minutes, the first team saw a person wearing their lifejacket in the water near an overturned kayak.
Firefighters called out to the person who said they were “extremely cold.” Teams weren’t able to use a throw bag because the kayaker was too far out. A nearby resident seeing the situation offered up his canoe to the team.
Quickly, officials donned their personal flotation devices and paddled out to the kayaker, who was brought to shore within 10 minutes of crews arriving.
The person was treated for hypothermia with the help of paramedics.
“We want to thank the resident who offered to help so we could make a quick rescue and get the individual back to shore as fast as possible,” Nick DeFazio, media relations officer with Ottawa fire, said in a post on X.
