Two teenage kayakers probably weren't planning on a helicopter ride out of the Minesing swamp.
Huronia West OPP say they received a call Sunday night from the 18-year-olds who said they needed assistance after they got lost in the swamp. The OPP Emergency Response Team members attended and with the assistance of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre out of Trenton, a Griffon helicopter was dispatched to assist in their rescue.
The paid had left Willow Creek in their tandem kayak just before 4 p.m. with the intention of travelling the Nottawasaga River with their destination being the Edenvale Conservation Centre. Police say as they travelled the river and entered the area of the Minesing swamp, it became narrow to manoeuvre their vessel any further. Unable to get turned around or get to solid ground, the teens called the police for help. It was almost midnight when a helicopter lifted them to safety and took them to a nearby airport. One of the young men was taken to hospital as a precaution.
The OPP would like to remind everyone that it is their responsibility to make sure they are prepared when travelling into remote areas and to appropriately manage any risks associated with these recreational activities.
