Thanks in part to a retired police officer and off-duty firefighter, a woman is lucky to be after being swept away by white water in Minden on Thursday afternoon (July 4).
At around 1 p.m. on Thursday, Haliburton Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with the Minden Hills Fire Department and Haliburton SMS responded to a 9-1-1 call from a retired police officer.
The retired officer, who was at the Minden Wild Water Preserve, had been told a woman had fallen into the Gull River and was swept away by the current. Witnesses said the woman, who was not wearing a life jacket or a helmet, had entered the water accidentally.
When police and emergency services arrived on the scene shortly thereafter, an off-duty firefighter who was kayaking nearby located the woman and was able to bring her safely to shore. The women was transported to a medical facility for treatment of minor injuries.
Haliburton Highlands OPP are reminding outdoor enthusiasts to be diligent about safety, whether on land or water.
“Always wear a PFD or life jacket, never swim alone, know your limits and stay within them,” reads an OPP media release.
