Safety a concern following weekend rescues in South Saskatchewan River

"I think people are just underestimating the power of the river and kind of the environment they're in. I think they need to be more aware of exactly where they're going."

There are many options for people to beat the heat in Saskatoon, but one is calling for caution over others.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) are reminding people to be safe around the South Saskatchewan River.

“They should have a life jacket, a PFD of some sort,” says Rob Hogan, deputy fire chief at the Saskatoon Fire Department. “They should stay in groups, they should make sure they have some sort of communication, have plenty of water, refrain from alcohol.”

Three people were rescued on two separate incidents at Poplar Bluffs, about 15 minutes south of the city over the weekend.

The first occurred Saturday night, when the SFD received a call around 10:00 p.m. from someone saying a person in their group was missing. Approximately an hour later, one of the crews found a person in the river up to their neck in water.

Two more individuals were rescued early next morning, after RCMP called saying two people who were missing were found stranded on a sand bar. SFD assisted both people safely back to shore.

No injuries were reported in either situation.

“I think people are just underestimating the power of the river and kind of the environment they’re in. I think they need to be more aware of exactly where they’re going, and what they’re facing, and let other people know what they’re doing, and be prepared in cause they have some kind of problem,” says Hogan.