The Okotoks Fire Department was dispatched for a rescue on the Sheep River late Thursday.
A call came in approximately 6:30 p.m. June 3 of a person stranded by swift currents on a small island on the Sheep River.
Fire Rescue crews, RCMP and Okotoks Municipal Enforcement responded to the park in an effort to locate a teen who had lost her footing while playing in the river and been swept downstream, said acting fire captain Ryan Chigol.
“She floated to the island, where there were other people in the area, so she hollered for help saying she was too scared to cross,” Chigol said.
Rescue teams from both the north and south fire halls responded on their respective sides in an effort to pinpoint the youth’s location.
“We ended up contacting her on an island and sent two guys with water rescue suits,” he said.
“The patient was unharmed, uninjured, just too scared and unable to cross on her own.”
Rescuers set up a rope line anchored to a nearby tree and crossed over to the youth, where they assessed her wellbeing.
“We brought her across, the guys gave her a lift across the river, did another assessment, and she was okay,” Chigol said.
“We responded and worked well with mutual aid from Municipal Enforcement and RCMP.”
The department was taxed, having to respond to a separate medical call simultaneously, he added, requiring resources to spread out even further.
Residents are advised to tread carefully around the river going into spring.
“It is approaching flood season, so we definitely recommend for people to be very cautious and be very safe,” Chigol said. “We know it’s a hot day and people want to be in the water and cool off, but just be cognizant.
“We don’t want anybody hurting themselves or drowning.”
No further updates will be made.
