NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE
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The Timmins Police Service responded a call for service involving a group of four female kayakers who became stranded on the Redstone River on Wednesday evening.
The Timmins Police Service deployed members of its Emergency Response Team (ERT) and service ATV’s to assist the Timmins Fire Department in its efforts to locate and render assistance to the stranded kayakers, two of which had become stranded on a rock outcropping of the river system during their excursion.
Two other members of the excursion were located after they had made it to shore but had lost their kayaks due to the turbulent nature of the rapids.
Members of the Timmins Police Service provided additional logistical assistance to Timmins Fire Department personnel with locations and extrication efforts.
Two male parties also became stranded on the rock island while attempting to render assistance.
All members of the kayak excursion were located and extricated from the scene by the continued efforts of the Timmins Fire Department and members of the South Porcupine volunteer fire hall.
The wellbeing of all involved was confirmed by the Timmins Police ERT team members.
The immediate response and ground search of the indicated area was undertaken by the Timmins Fire Department with secondary assistance provided by the Timmins Police Service and its deployment of its ATV’s units.
The search area was roughly 30 kilometers south of Timmins and off of Langmuir Road with the actual search and rescue lasting approximately seven hours.
All four local kayakers were returned home safe with a lesson of the importance of being prepared for the unpredictable taking hold with each of them.
The Timmins Police Service reminds all outdoors enthusiasts that local water levels and rates of flow are at currently at a high level.
Area waterways are deceiving and merit a proper amount of respect and attention before venturing outward onto any river systems
The need to be water wise rests squarely on the shoulders of those persons who choose to venture out onto or near area waterways.
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