THUNDER BAY — OPP are crediting a lifejacket and a cellphone with helping ensure the survival of a kayaker who got into trouble on the Whitefish River in the Hymers area.
The individual made an emergency call late Friday after the kayak took on water and sank.
Police say the person was wearing a lifejacket and was able to swim to an island in the river to call 911.
The Thunder Bay detachment's Emergency Response Team was deployed for a rescue using a chartered helicopter.
Officers were able to locate the kayaker but were confronted by metre-high waves in the river, making the rescue more challenging.
However, they successfully extricated the person who was then checked out by paramedics.
