THUNDER BAY – Emergency responders helped rescue a man who became stranded during a severe storm after sustaining an injury while swimming Friday night.
The man had been swimming in the Crooked Rapids area in Ware Township, about 30 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, when he injured his leg.
That left him stranded on the far side of the river dressed only in shorts, exposed to thunderstorms passing through the area.
Ontario Provincial Police requested support from Thunder Bay Fire Rescue around 10 p.m. for a water rescue, with the agency supplying a pumper and four-wheel-drive unit.
Two firefighters in swift water rescue suits crossed the river in a rapid deployment craft, assessing the victim’s injuries, giving him clothes and a personal flotation device. A rope tethering system was used to bring the crew and victim back to shore.
The patient was later taken to hospital by ambulance to be treated for a lower leg injury.
The Kaministiquia volunteer fire department also assisted with the incident.
TBFR reminds area residents to use extreme caution when swimming in rivers, and to always let someone know your location.
