Provincial police successfully rescued 23 individuals who became stranded on a floating piece of ice in Georgian Bay on Sunday. Responding to distress calls near Balmy Beach, north of Owen Sound, Ont., officers swiftly acted as the ice moved approximately two kilometers away from the shore due to winds and currents. The ice shelf fractured into multiple sections, causing some individuals to be partially submerged in the cold water.
The rescue operation, which commenced before noon, involved the collaborative efforts of the OPP, fire crews, paramedics, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the air ambulance service Ornge. By 2:30 p.m., all 23 stranded persons were safely airlifted back to land, with minor injuries such as hypothermia reported. The police emphasized that the situation posed a serious threat due to hypothermia, but all individuals are expected to recover fully.
Constable Craig Soldan of the OPP informed CBC Toronto that the stranded individuals were a group of ice fishermen who found themselves in peril when the unstable ice unexpectedly separated from the shore. Those immersed in the icy water were prioritized during the rescue operation, with instructions given to stay low and spread out to prevent further accidents.
Soldan highlighted the risks of ice-related activities, cautioning that recent weather fluctuations have made the ice less secure. He stressed the importance of refraining from venturing onto the ice, emphasizing that no ice can be deemed safe under current conditions.
The Cobble Beach Golf Course provided support for the rescue operation, accommodating aviation units and triage services. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area and stay off the ice while emergency services were in action.