Friday, December 8, 2006

Frigid waters, Thin Ice Make for Hazardous Night

Blind River, Ont.

Five persons who had entered the frigid waters of the Blind River were rescued by Officers form East Algoma O.P.P.

At approx 20 minutes after midnight on the 08 December 2006 an employee of an all-night convenience store heard a person screaming for help. When he investigated he saw a man in the open water. Four officers from the East Algoma detachment responded to the call.
On their arrival they observed two persons in distress in the water and several other persons on shore yelling for help.

It was determined that the five men had left a local hotel and for some reason one of them jumped over the railing of the Hudson St. Bridge, dropping into the water. The other persons had jumped in to rescue the succession of persons entering the water.
Police were able to assist one man who was about 7 meters from shore by throwing him a rope from the Police cruiser.
The second male was about 10-12 meters out and the weighted rope was tossed to the semi-conscious man. When he was close to shore the officers had to stretch themselves out across the ice to pull the man to safety.

During the rescue one of the men began to interfere and argue with the officers and had to be restrained.

Three of the men were transported to Blind River Hospital by cruiser and two by ambulance, each suffering from various stages of Hypothermia.
Alcohol was a definite factor in this incident.

Police are reminding person to be very wary of ice conditions at this time of year.
With the onset of colder temperatures it may appear as thought rivers and lakes are frozen but they are not safe.

The Life Saving Society suggests the following:

- 3” or 7 cm STAY OFF THE ICE
- 4” or 10 cm safe for one person
- 5” or 12 cm one snowmobile (ATV)
- 8-12 “ or 20 to 30 cm for small car
- 12”-15” or 30 to 38 cm one vehicle (medium size truck)

See more at www.lifesavingsociety.com