Sarnia Fire Rescue responded to two separate water rescues in Lake Huron shortly after an offshore storm moved through the area.
The first call came in around 5:27 p.m. in the 1200 block of Fort Street, where three members of a family were being swept toward the mouth of the river by strong currents. While land-based crews responded to the area, Marine 1, 2 and 3 also responded by water. All three people were removed from the water with help from bystanders before emergency responders arrived, and they were assessed and treated by Lambton EMS before being transported to Bluewater Health for further treatment.
A second call came in around 5:57 p.m. for a person in distress about 150 metres offshore in Brights Grove, in the 2300 block of Lakeshore Road. Marine 1 was redirected from the first incident to the second location while a land crew responded and entered the water, bringing the individual safely to shore without further incident.
Sarnia Fire Rescue thanked the Canadian Coast Guard, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Lambton County EMS, Point Edward Fire & Rescue and bystanders who assisted, saying the incidents highlighted the importance of a coordinated emergency response during rapidly changing conditions on the lake.
