Barrie police assisted their provincial counterparts on Friday evening after a two-vehicle crash on Highway 400, just south of Mapleview Drive, around 5:30 p.m., when two male suspects fled the scene and ran into a wooded, swampy area.
Police say the pair made their way eastbound between McKay Road and Lockhart Road.
With waist-deep snow and mud, the focus, according to police, turned into a search-and-rescue mission.
Barrie's News Delivered To Your Inbox
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Canine officers, along with the tactical support unit, began tracking the suspects, who were known not to be properly dressed for the harsh conditions and were in danger of hypothermia. Barrie police also deployed a drone to assist, but the weather hindered visibility, making it difficult to track the suspects.
An hour after the search began, one of the suspects, a 21-year-old, was found stuck in the snow. He was carried back to the highway by officers.
Soon after, the second suspect, a 20-year-old, was found unable to move in a swamp and buried in snow. He was extricated from his predicament and carried by officers back toward the highway, where they were met by Barrie fighters, who deployed a rescue sled to take him the rest of the way.
“This was an excellent example of two police services working together and not only arresting two suspects for criminal offences, but also saving their lives,” stated Sgt. James Westcott.
Both suspects were taken into custody and transported for medical evaluation.
