Fire Fighters rescue 3 paddlers on the river

At approximately 18:30 Saskatoon Fire Department received a call from a person who reported that 3 individuals were paddling on the river south of the city, when a storm with high winds and lightning forced them to a sand bar where they were stranded and request to be rescued.

Saskatoon Fire Department launched its rescue boat, 2 engines and a Battalion Chief, the location of the individuals was in question, the rescue boat launched from the Broadway emergency boat launch, enroute it became stuck on a sand bar. One of the stranded boaters was able to send a location pin via a cell phone to the Battalion Chief and a second rescue boat was dispatched to the Riverside golf course, where the 3 individuals were located on the river and rescued. They were evaluated by Saskatoon fire department Primary Care Paramedics and did not require any medical treatment.

This rescue of these individuals took over 3 hours and required multiple fire department resources and staff; rescues of this nature are successful due to our firefighters who train regularly on our river.

We also would like to thank the Riverside golf and country club for assisting us with staff and equipment.