Batchawana Bay rescue (9 photos)
Sunday, July 22, 2012 by: Carol Martin
Three people were plucked from the cold water of Batchawana Bay last evening about 9 p.m.
A man and a woman from Goulais River and a man from Sault Ste. Marie were stranded in the water about a half mile off shore when their boat sank in the bay, says OPP Community Service / Media Relations Constable Monique Baker.
Loyal SooToday.com reader Theresa Cassan sent us photos of the rescue operation.
She tells us the two men and woman were stranded in the water for hours before they were rescued by guests at a wedding and a neighbour of the Salzburger Hof resort (where the wedding was being held) were able to reach them and bring them to shore.
All three stranded boaters were wearing personal floatation devices when the boat they were in sank.
"OPP and Batchawana fire and rescue responded to a sunken boat in Batchawana Bay yesterday," said Cassan. "All three individuals are fine but suffered hypothermia."
Baker confirms that OPP received a call about a marine incident at about 9:20 p.m. Saturday.
By the time OPP arrived on the scene, all three boaters in distress had been rescued.
"Guests at a wedding and a neighbour of the Salzburger Hof restaurant and resort took a canoe and a motor boat out to rescue the individuals who were still about 1 km offshore," said Cassan.
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neskantaga 7/22/2012 2:27:14 PM Report Shortly after 9 last nite Gail Constable thought she heard someone calling for help.her husband Jack took his canoe out and got 2 of the people the 3rd said he was ok till Jack or someone else came. Gail got a hold of people at the salzburger hoff and had them take a boat out.
bustinout 7/22/2012 3:28:59 PM ReportThank God Those nice people heard them. Already being in the water for hours, exhaustion and panic must have almost taken them over. You can see the fear and relief in that poor womans face coming out of the water. What an ordeal that must have been for all of them. I hope they all have a speedy recovery and Im sure their loved ones are giving them extra squeezes tonight!
stumpjumper 7/22/2012 3:51:15 PM ReportGood job by the rescue volunteers but none of them had life jackets on. Especially the canoeist. He could have been dumped in so easily by a panicked person in the cold water. But all worked out and everyone is safe. Just so curious how the boat sunk???
lowla 7/22/2012 4:57:39 PM ReportI'm also curious about how this came to be? Thank god that all are safe, the big lake waters can be unforgiving
Saree 7/22/2012 6:39:53 PM ReportMy parent's (Jack and Gail) have rescued many people from the water in front of their home. In this case, as in most, people underestimate the power of the lake and don't realize that when you head around the point that the conditions can change instantly. A wave capsized their boat and they were in the water for over 2 hrs before my mother heard their cries for help. In the past my parents have rescued teenagers trying to paddle over to Batchewana Island, and a family of 3 with two young boys in the boat. I hope people read this and try to be more safe in our waters. Also a thank you to the people who helped my parents and all the Search and Rescue volunteers for always being so quick to respond.
mr.monty 7/22/2012 8:16:11 PM Reportthe boat was full of beer for the large party on sandy islands. every one else were on jet skis. the beer should be cold now. i saw the boat going to the island while taking pics. at my daughters wedding. but i did not see it go down.i was told there were about 100 people at the annual island party. bummer, no beer.
Seeker231 7/23/2012 12:48:44 AM ReportOMG...rumours abound about this accident. The point is they were rescued thanks to strangers.
Wicket 7/23/2012 10:40:24 PM ReportAgree, rumours will abound about this incident, HOWEVER, why did the rescuers NOT HAVE life jackets on???????? Pictures speak a thousand words and these ones certainly do, and thank God for the kind people that put their own lives in danger to rescue the three.
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