NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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MIDLAND - Members of the Marine Patrol attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted 29 hours of patrol on the waters of Georgian Bay in the areas of the Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene and the Townships of Tiny, Tay and Georgian Bay over the weekend of July 20-23, 2018.
Marine Unit officers aboard OPP patrol vessels stopped and checked 18 vessels for proper vessel equipment and driver sobriety. One vessel operator was charged under the Canada Shipping Act for falling to have sufficient life jackets aboard his vessel.
At approximately 4:07 p.m. July 21, 2018 several families were swimming and wading in the waters of Whites Falls in Georgian Bay Township. A young female child who was in the water swimming got into difficulty near the shoreline and an adult male who was going to her aid slipped and went under and failed to resurface.
A nearby boater who watched the incident made his way quickly to the scene and provided a rope to the young child and dove in to bring the lifeless adult male to the surface and to shore.
Once on shore, several adults commenced CPR and the male was able to begin breathing on his own and was treated and transported by County of Simcoe Paramedics to Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland for further treatment. The life savers will be commended for their swift actions.
Officers crewing the OPP patrol vessels remind all vessel operators that they are checking for vessel equipment and for liquor offences which they are vigorously enforcing in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities on our area waterways this summer. For more information on safe vessel operation and equipment please view the following web sites.
Police remind motorists that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our trails, roadways and waterways. Educating the public about safe driving practices is a priority.
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