Ottawa firefighters rescue paddle boarder in distress near Deschênes Rapids

An Ottawa Fire Services water rescue boat is seen in this undated image. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa Fire Services says its water rescue team helped bring a paddle boarder in distress near the Deschênes Rapids back to shore Friday afternoon.

According to Public Information Officer Nick DeFazio, Ottawa Fire Services received a call from the Gatineau fire department at around 1:16 p.m. about an individual who appeared to be struggling with the rapids and was not wearing a personal floatation device.

“We immediately dispatched our Water Rescue Teams, who launched our rescue boat and began searching the area. The paddle boarder was quickly located after having fallen into the rapids,” DeFazio said.

The Gatineau Fire Service said in a news release the woman was swept up by the current right as one of their boats arrived on the scene.

The Ottawa team reached the paddle boarder at around 1:45 p.m., brought her into a water rescue boat, and returned her to Britannia Beach. She was not injured.

“This incident is a reminder of the risks associated with water activities and the importance of always wearing a personal flotation device,” said DeFazio. “We’re grateful to our partners at Gatineau Fire Services for their quick action and support.”

The Deschênes Rapids are a common area for water rescue calls. Ottawa Fire Services crews have responded to several water rescues in the area this summer, including two back-to-back calls and a multi-person rescue June.