At about 11:10am on August 4, 2009, Wasagaming RCMP was alerted to a boating accident on Katherine Lake in Riding Mountain National Park.
A witness reported seeing a canoe capsize on the lake with four people in the water, approximately 700 feet from shore.
Members from the Wasagaming RCMP, Parks Canada, the Onanole Fire Department and Erickson EMS were dispatched and located a couple in the water with their two young grandsons. The victims were clinging to their overturned canoe and calling for assistance.
An off-duty Onanole volunteer firefighter arrived at the scene within minutes with his personal boat. The good Samaritan along with Parks employees were able to pull the family from the water, wet and cold, but unharmed.
The successful end to this story is attributed to the entire family wearing properly fitting personal floatation devices and the wise choice to stay with their overturned canoe to wait for rescue.
Maria Russell, CST.
Wasagaming RCMP
204-848-2659
204-625-2090
