Petitcodiac River mud causing dangerous rescues

The Moncton fire department is warning people to avoid venturing out on the mud of the Petitcodiac River at low tide.

Firefighters were called on Tuesday to help three teens who got stuck while playing in the mud.

Bill Banks, the assistant deputy fire chief, said the teens managed to get out safely on their own, but the fire department has had to respond to other calls of people stuck in the river's thick mud.

Banks said another boy, who he estimated was seven years old, was trapped a month ago.

"There was a young chap stuck down behind the RCMP station on Assumption Boulevard about a month ago and they had to pull him out and leave his boots and things right in the mud," Banks said.

"It's not a pleasant thing."

People walking out into the mud could get stuck and Banks said they could be caught by the fast-rising tide.

The causeway gates were opened on the Petitcodiac River in April for the first time in more than 40 years.

The local engineering firm overseeing the Petitcodiac River project said earlier in June that the river is changing faster than predicted after only two months.

AMEC Earth and Environmental reported the river banks are already widening at a noticeable pace and the Petitcodiac's famous tidal bore is also growing.

Dangerous rescues

Banks said there is a concern for any emergency officials who are called out to help people stuck in the mud.

Any rescue attempts could also be dangerous for firefighters who have to figure out how to rescue people without getting stuck themselves.

There is a growing problem this year of children and teens being attracted to the tidal estuary.

Banks said the opening of the causeway, which allows the tide to change daily, is causing greater concern.

"This is the first summer that it's been an issue because the gates are no longer in place and the lake is not there," he said.

"So the kids are starting to play in the muck."