(OPP photo)
Crews are being praised for their hard work and dedication displayed during a dramatic rescue during the severe storm this weekend.
“An amazing joint-services rescue this weekend in an extremely isolated area of Algonquin Provincial Park,” reads an OPP press release. “A mother and young son had been camping when major thunderstorms with strong winds rolled through the area Saturday night. A tree fell on their tent and the 13-year-old was left with very serious injuries and no way to get to help.”
The mom triggered an ‘SOS’ signal on a device which transmitted their coordinates to rescuers. Upper Ottawa Valley OPP members loaded up their ATVs and headed to the nearest park entrance to the location. The rescue team also included OPP Emergency Response Team members, Algonquin Park Rangers and the Renfrew County Paramedics Sierra Team.
“An aerial rescue wasn’t possible due to the weather, so first responders had to make a harrowing trek through roads and trails filled with downed trees and other debris and through dense brush,” reads the release. “They used hand saws to clear the way until chainsaws could arrive. It was about 25 kilometres over land.”
Rescuers then launched a canoe and paddled about 300 metres to the stranded mother and her seriously injured son and began immediate first aid.
By 8:30 Sunday morning, a Ministry of Natural Resources float plane was able to land on the nearby lake and transport mother and son to hospital, where the young man underwent treatment for his injuries.
In addition to those on the ground, the rescue effort also included the MNR aviation team, OPP Communication Centres and Provincial Operations Centre, the Algonquin Park Duty Officer and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. A special thanks to the Deep River Fire Department for providing the much-needed chain saws.
“The seamless teamwork of this successful rescue is an example of the resilience and training of all involved,” reads the release.
(Sherry Haaima)