SASKATOON — The Saskatoon Fire Department on Saturday night, Aug. 27, rescued three paddlers south of the river after they were forced to seek refuge on a sand bar due to the lightning storm.
SFD dispatch received a call at around 6:30 p.m. reporting on the condition of the three individuals after they were stranded on the sandbar because of the strong winds and lightning and sent requests to be rescued.
SFD launched its rescue boat from the Broadway emergency boat launch to rescue the paddlers stuck on the sandbar. Two engine trucks and the Battalion Chief were also dispatched to assist with the rescue.
One of the stranded paddlers managed 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, from where the three individuals were located on the river and rescued.
Once on shore, the SFD’s Primary Care Paramedics evaluated the condition of the three paddlers rescued and concluded that they did not require any medical treatment.
It took three hours to rescue the three paddlers and required multiple fire department resources and staff; rescues of this nature are successful due to our firefighters who train regularly on our river.
The fire department said it would like to thank the Riverside Golf and Country Club for assisting with staff and equipment.
