Calgary, AB,
31
May
2015
|
22:06
America/Denver

Calgary Fire Department Aquatics Team rescues woman from Bow River

 

 

 

Shortly before 7:00 this evening, the Calgary Fire Department responded to Edworthy Park for reports of a capsized raft on the Bow River.  Upon arrival crews found a capsized inflatable raft pined against the abutment of the Pedestrian Bridge.  A woman was found clinging to the overturned raft calling for help.  Firefighters lowered down a rope to temporarily secure the woman while awaiting Aquatics Rescue crews prepared to rappel down to the distressed woman.  Meanwhile, firefighters called off would be civilian rescuers for fear of additional victims.  The Aquatics rescuer quickly rappelled down and safely held the woman in place until the CFD jet boat arrived to carry her, conscious and alert, safely to shore.  Fire crews confirmed that the raft, carrying 6 people at the time, had collided with the bridge abutment while floating downstream.  5 of the rafters were ejected from the raft upon contact and were able to safely swim to shore.  Thankfully, all were wearing Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs).  The woman, in her twenties, was treated by AHS and transported to the hospital.  Aquatics Team Members recovered the raft and turned it over to family members.

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