Group possibly stranded in water ‘from noon to 1:30 p.m.’: OPP reacts to large-scale ice rescue

A rescue helicopter responds to a group of people stranded in Georgian Bay near Georgian Bluffs, Ont., on Sun., March 8, 2026 (Source: Martin Woodhouse/Supplied)

The OPP estimated that a group people may have been stranded for nearly an hour and a half in a large-scale ice rescue in Georgian Bay near Cobble Beach.

The incident unfolded as 23 people were fishing on ice that was initially connected to the shore. Wind and current then drifted some of the patches nearly two kilometers into open water, leaving them all stranded.

In a phone call with CTV News, Const. Craig Soldan from Huron County OPP confirmed that the OPP received the distress call at around noon, and by 2:30 p.m. everyone had been rescued safely. He added that some might have been in the water from noon until 1:30 p.m., and that it was unknown if they were prepared for cold conditions.

Cobble Beach Golf Links allowed the OPP to lift all 23 to its property, and Const. Soldan says none of them had to be airlifted to any trauma centres.

“Two helicopters picked up and transported all 23 to safety. This became a life-threatening situation for several of the people due to hypothermia,” said Const. Soldan in his statement on OPP West Region’s social media platforms. “All are expected to make a full recovery. Great teamwork and a quick response by all involved.”

The full list of agencies in the response included OPP Aviation, OPP Marine Unit, Inner Township Fire Department, Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services, Hanover Fire Department, North Bruce Peninsula Fire Department, Grey County Paramedic Services, Bruce County Paramedic Services, and Ornge.

While the OPP’s typical message is ‘no ice is safe ice,’ Const. Soldan took it a step further.

“Stay off of it,” he urged. “Everything is unstable this time of year.”