CANOE CAPSIZES, LANDING 4 PEOPLE IN MUSKOKA RIVER FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE MAKING SHORE

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — Four people — including two kids 9 and 10 — fell overboard into “frigid” water Friday morning after their canoe capsized on the Muskoka River.

At 11:20 a.m., on May 10, emergency services responded to a call regarding the canoe accident near Holditch Street, below the downtown Bracebridge Falls before heading out to Lake Muskoka.

Two adults and the two children fell in the “frigid water,” police said today.

Fortunately the children were wearing life-jackets in the “frigid water” and all four canoeists making it to shore where they were assessed by Muskoka EMS.

One adult was transported to hospital for further, non-life-threatening, care.

Police would like to ask members of the public who will be enjoying the waterways to be diligent about safety.

They warn if you are considering being out on the water in any type of vessel this spring, please remember that the water is still very cold and that can inhibit your ability to save yourself.

Also remember that life-jackets, or personal flotation devices, are available in a variety of sizes. Your life-jacket can only keep you afloat if it fits you. Younger children will slip out of an adult sized life-jacket. Ensure that you have done your research and have the necessary safety equipment on board and always share your plan with a person on land so that if you encounter trouble, it will be available to emergency services.

This follows the death of a 31-year-old Toronto man who had difficulty before drowning Sunday morning, April 28, in Lake Muskoka just before noon while kayaking near Taylor Island in Lake Muskoka.

The four people were canoeing below the Bracebridge Falls Friday morning when their canoe tipped them all into the “frigid” water.

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