Calgary, AB,
20
July
2013
|
18:53
America/Denver
The Calgary Fire Department Rescues Woman from the Bow River
At approximately 4:15 this afternoon, the Calgary Fire Department responded to the Bow River and 1St ST. NW for reports of an overturned raft. On arrival fire crews found a female, in the river, clinging to a partially submerged tree. The Calgary Fire Department Dive Team attended and sent a rescuer into the river to assist the woman. The rescuer, who was attached to a safety line, climbed onto the tree, assessed and secured the woman, then the two of them were pulled ashore by members of the Aquatics Rescue Team. She was then assessed by EMS and released.
Apparently, the woman, in her late 20s, was part of a group of four enjoying a float down the river. The group were paired up in two separate rafts which were tethered together. One of the rafts struck the tree and flipped over forcing two women into the water. One woman was able to swim to shore, but the other was clinging to the tree and unable to get to the riverbank.
The other raft stayed upright and continued downstream with two men onboard. They eventually exited the water downstream.
The woman later stated that she was so cold that she could barely hang on and was thankful that the Aquatic Team arrived to help. She also said that if it wasn’t for her personal floatation device she may have drowned.
The Calgary Fire Department would like to remind the citizens of Calgary that:
On July 16, 2013 the ban on the Bow River was lifted. However, the Elbow River still remains closed. The City encourages people to act responsibly when participating in any water-related activities. Your safety and the safety of others should always be top of mind.
Due to the recent flooding, there have been significant changes to the stability of riverbanks, increasing the danger of being on or near them. Debris in the water poses an extreme hazard and water clarity is low, obscuring hazards and obstacles just below the surface. Conditions on the Bow River continue to be dangerous and pose a considerable risk for anyone on the river in any type of watercraft. Rafters, boaters and paddlers need to be aware of water levels, temperature, current speed, and river hazards including bridge abutments, trees and other large debris in the water that can catch, trap or overturn vessels
Due to the recent flooding, there have been significant changes to the stability of riverbanks, increasing the danger of being on or near them. Debris in the water poses an extreme hazard and water clarity is low, obscuring hazards and obstacles just below the surface. Conditions on the Bow River continue to be dangerous and pose a considerable risk for anyone on the river in any type of watercraft. Rafters, boaters and paddlers need to be aware of water levels, temperature, current speed, and river hazards including bridge abutments, trees and other large debris in the water that can catch, trap or overturn vessels
Some water safety tips are:
- All river passengers should be wearing a life jacket or personal floatation devices (PFDs) on the water
- Do not tie or tether boats or raft together
- All river users should be prepared for a variety of conditions
- All river vessels should have a sounding device such as a whistle, a buoyant heaving line (throw-bag) no less than 15 metres long and a bailer
- Being impaired while on the water is never tolerated, nor is the transport or consumption of alcohol
- Recreational river users should exit the river in advance of Harvie Passage and re-enter the river downstream of the rapids