Snowmobiler rescued from Rideau River after crashing through the ice

The OPP says a snowmobiler crashed through the ice of the Rideau River near Burritts Rapids Monday night. The man was rescued from the water and treated for hypothermia. (OPP/X)

A snowmobiler was treated for hypothermia after crashing into the icy Rideau River south of Ottawa.

Emergency crews responded to a 9-1-1 call at approximately 5:40 p.m. Monday, reporting a man and his snowmobile went into the river near Burritts Rapids.

The man, who was wearing a flotation suit, was hanging onto an ice shelf approximately 20 feet from the shore when crews arrived. Dispatchers told officials that the man was experiencing numbness in the legs due to the cold water.

The Ottawa Fire Services said its Ice/Water Rescue Team set up at the scene to rescue the man.

“A rescue throw bag was immediately deployed; however, the individual did not have the strength to pull themselves out of the water,” Nick DeFazio, Ottawa Fire Services Public Information Officer, said in a statement.

“The individual secured the rope around their hand and waited while rescue operations continued. Members from our Ice Rescue Team and North Grenville Fire Service’s Ice Rescue Team entered the water to secure the individual at the ice shelf. Additional ice rescue members deployed a Fortuna rescue sled, and crews worked together to carefully remove the individual from the water.”

The Ontario Provincial Police said several departments, including Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedics, North Grenville Fire Services and Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service, coordinated the rescue and “safely retrieved the operator from the frigid waters.”

“Fortunately, the operator was wearing a floating suit and had been travelling with someone else who was able to call 9-1-1 for the rescue,” the OPP said in a social media post.

“The operator was transported to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia and later released.”

DeFazio said 9-1-1 dispatchers were able to use the caller’s GPS coordinates to “pinpoint exactly where the snowmobile entered the water.”

After several days of above-seasonal temperatures and mixed precipitation, the OPP is reminding people to be careful around lakes and rivers in eastern Ontario.

“Let this be a reminder that changing winter weather can cause unpredictable conditions both on and off the water,” the OPP said.

“Travelling on ice is risky and should be avoided. Always check with your local snowmobile club about current conditions before leaving and be sure to wear the proper gear, like a floating snowmobile suit.”

Burritts Rapids is located near Kemptville.