Saskatoon Fire Department rescues 3 people from the river

Three people had to be rescued from the South Saskatchewan River on Saturday night when strong wind gusts, lightning and fear of a storm stranded them on a sand bar.

Around 6:30 p.m. the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call from a person reporting that three people had been paddling on the river when they got stranded.

The department launched its rescue boat from the Broadway emergency boat launch, en route, it became stuck on a sand bar.

One of the stranded boaters was able to send a location pin via a cell phone to the Battalion Chief and a second rescue boat was dispatched where the three people were later found and rescued.

The rescue took over three hours according to the fire department, requiring multiple different resources and staff in the process.

“Rescues of this nature are successful due to our firefighters who train regularly on our river,” a release by the department read.

“We also would like to thank the Riverside golf and country club for assisting us with staff and equipment.”

No one stranded was hurt or required any medical help.