Staff
On Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at approximately 11:37 p.m., Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a 9-1-1 call from a resident reporting that a male’s voice could be heard yelling for help from the wooded area southeast of their residence on Miller Street in Meaford. At about the same time, police received a report of an overdue kayaker.
The Meaford Fire Department attended the area and, after a short ground search, located the overdue kayaker safe and uninjured on the bank of the Big Head River.
Investigation revealed that the victim had been kayaking with two male friends on the Big Head River when he became separated from them and then became disoriented once nightfall came.
The 20 year old Meaford man recognizes that he was ill-prepared for kayaking as he did not have any safety equipment, including a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD), with him.
Kayaking, like many other recreational sports, has its risks. Minimize those risks by taking a course in basic kayaking safety by a certified instructor. Always wear a life jacket or PFD. Check the current weather forecast. Have a “float plan” – meaning let someone know of your plans. Carry drinking water and a first aid kit. Wear bright colours so you can be seen. And remember – do not kayak while impaired by alcohol or drug.
For more information on kayaking safety visit:
www.boatingsafety.gc.ca, www.paddlingcanada.com, www.smart-start-kayaking.com.
