SASKATOON — The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to several incidents on Monday, Labour Day, Sept. 5, including a single vehicular accident and two water rescues.
SFD crews were alerted at 11:13 p.m. by the ambulance service of a vehicle that rolled over on its roof on Idylwyld Drive North near Ruth Street.
A fire engine, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. The crew assessed the patient inside the vehicle and determined there were minor injuries. No extrication with tools was required and patient care was transferred to the ambulance service.
Earlier on the same day, at 6:41 a.m. on Sept. 5, the SFD received a report of a female hanging on to a log in the Saskatchewan River near Ravine Drive.
A water rescue team and boat were dispatched aside for two fire engines and the Battalion Chief. The first arriving fire crew got eyes on the female.
The boat entered the water and proceeded to the female's location with the SFD water rescue team rescuing the individual by boat at 6:55 a.m.
The water rescue unit returned the female safely to shore and care was transferred to the ambulance service waiting.
Almost three hours before that, at 3:38 p.m., another female in distress was rescued north of Circle Drive Bridge. The Saskatoon Police Service made the report to SFD.
Two fire engines, the water rescue unit and their boat along with the Battalion Chief were dispatched.
Arriving fire crews located the female in distress, who was calling for help on the north side of Circle Drive Bridge about 75 yards from the west shoreline.
The SFD water team prepared for a water rescue from land and by boat with one member of the unit from the fire engine, was tied securely entered the water from shore.
The area of the fire crew that entered the water was close to the female's location to perform a rescue if possible while the other crew launched the boat.
The water rescue team and boat were in the water at 4:01 a.m. at the 33rd Street boat launch and both firefighters who entered the water from the shore reached the female’s location.
The firefighters securely tethered her to the line before the water rescue boat reached her location and fire crews then pulled the tethered pair in from the river.
At 4:04 a.m., the female was on the shore and fire crews provided blankets and carried the female up the embankment. The ambulance service took over the care of the female.
No injuries were sustained during this rescue with all personnel on the scene being accounted for and fire crews returning to their respective stations.
