Swollen creek complicates rope rescue at Tews Falls

Emergency crews were called to Tews Falls in Dundas for a rope rescue just after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

Two firefighters rappelled down with a rescue basket about 100 metres from the observation platform to where a man was.

The man suffered an injured leg but firefighters thought he could be walked out, rather than being lifted up in the basket. Hamilton Fire spokesman Claudio Mostacci said the extent of injuries are unknown. 

But when they tried to walk him out, the firefighters determined the man would need to be lifted out by ropes after all, due to the higher creek levels after last weekend's rain, Mostacci said. 

The rescue involved more than two dozen firefighters. By the time they lowered the ropes and the basket to bring up the patient, the rescue had stretched for more than four hours. 

Wednesday's Canada Day holiday provided a chance for people to get outside and go for a hike. A weekend of heavy rain makes for a stunning waterfall, but also for slippery conditions. 

Mostacci didn't have numbers accessible for how many rope rescues there have been so far, but they're common in summer.

"It's a nice day, so it begins," he said.