Firefighters rescue man from Ottawa hydro canal

Mar. 10, 2020, Ottawa, Ont. – Around 8 p.m. Monday night, firefighters were dispatched to perform a water rescue of a semi-conscious man in the water of the Ottawa Hydro canal near Booth Street.

Upon arrival, firefighters found several members of the Ottawa Police Service holding the man by the hands. Water Rescue teams from stations 11 and 22, along with rope rescue technicians from station 12, performed a dynamic water rescue despite a strong current, darkness and limited space under the bridge.

One firefighter performed a high-risk ‘Go Rescue’, swimming out to the man while tethered. Once the firefighter reached and secured the individual, he was placed onto a water rescue boat, called a Fortuna, which had been lowered down by two other firefighters.

The crew reportedly then moved the Fortuna to a safer area, where our rope rescue team was able to lower down a Stokes basket and performed a haul to move the man to the shoreline where he was transferred to the care of Ottawa Paramedics at 8:27 p.m.

In a press release, the Ottawa Fire Department said the rescue was “the result of an incredible team effort from members of Ottawa Fire, Ottawa Police, Ottawa Paramedics and Gatineau Fire.”