Kayakers not wearing life jackets needed rescuing by fire department
Posted Aug 13, 2026 12:25:24 PM.
Last Updated Aug 14, 2026 09:54:37 AM.
A kilometre out from shore on Wednesday afternoon, two kayakers found themselves in a percarious situation.
According to Ottawa fire, crews got a call around 2:30 p.m., with a person saying a kayaker had fallen into the Ottawa River near Petrie Island Beach in the east end.
The caller told the communications department that the kayaker was not wearing a life jacket and was holding onto a second kayak.
When firefighters arrived they quickly launched a rescue boat and arrived to the person in the water around 2:47 p.m. Both kayakers were brought back to the beach just before 3:00 p.m.
Neither had injuries. The pair told fire crews that they didn’t mean to drift into the middle of the river while talking, and didn’t realize how far out they were.
“Waves caused their kayaks to take on water, and one kayaker was eventually unable to remain in their kayak and became stranded in the strong current of the Ottawa River,” a press release reads.
Firefighters said it is important to always wear a life jacket when around water.
“This incident is an important reminder of how quickly conditions can change on the water. Although our Water Rescue Teams are highly trained, strategically located and equipped to respond quickly, every second matters during a water emergency,” they note.
