Two women fall through the ice at Dow’s Lake

The end of the line at the Wellington st. bridge over the Rideau Canal Skateway in downtown Ottawa. (Don Woods/CTV Viewer)

Two women in their early 30s are recovering from mild hypothermia after falling through the ice on the Rideau Canal, according to paramedics.

They say it happened Sunday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. on the Dow’s Lake section of ice near the 6.4 kilometre marker of the skateway.

The NCC says it occurred on a patch of ice covered by snow and not cleared for skating.

Paramedics say the women were wet up to their waists.

The NCC says quick thinking first responders and contract workers jumped into action to help the women.

By the time paramedics arrived, the women were out of the frigid water.

They were taken to the 5^th Avenue first aid area to be assessed by paramedics, where they were treated for mild hypothermia.

The women, who were visiting from out of town, were not taken to hospital.

The NCC says they are relieved the women were not seriously injured, and recommend skaters remain on areas cleared of snow, where the ice is clearly visible.