Centre Wellington firefighters perform two water rescues

CENTRE WELLINGTON – On June 27 Centre Wellington Fire and Rescue performed  two water rescues – one at the Elora Gorge and one at Belwood Lake.

No one was injured in either case and “it was a successful outcome with both incidences,” said deputy fire chief Jonathan Karn.

At around 5:20pm the department received a call for two tubers in trouble at the Elora Gorge.

Water rescues – Centre Wellington Fire and Rescue conducted two water rescues on June 27; one at the Elora Gorge, above, and one on Belwood Lake. Submitted photo

The tubers had called 911, but were unfamiliar with the area and unable to provide their location. Firefighters started at the beginning of the course and, using an inflatable boat, located the tubers about halfway down.

According to Karn the tubers were “not hurt but in some distress.”

Karn said the call was likely the result of the tubers not being familiar with the area and the water. He noted they had rented and used all the proper equipment from the Grand River Conservation Area, including tubes, life jackets and helmets.

At 7:45pm the same day a call was received about a man on Belwood Lake whose Sea-Doo had malfunctioned and started to sink. The man called 911 and was able to give specific details on his location, east of the Belwood bridge.

He was not injured, but his watercraft had “taken on a lot of water,” said Karn, noting the man was brought onto a boat and his Sea-Doo was towed to shore.

“In both cases everyone was wearing proper PFDs,” said Karn, noting 911 was called as well.

At 7:45pm the same day a call was received about a man on Belwood Lake whose Sea-Doo had malfunctioned and started to sink. The man called 911 and was able to give specific details on his location, east of the Belwood bridge.

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