Saskatoon

Man wanted on Canada-wide warrant nabbed for swimming in Saskatoon

When rescuers attempted to pull the man out of the South Saskatchewan River, he tried to fight them off. Police discovered he was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.

Man wanted for being unlawfully at large now also ticketed for swimming in river

The University Bridge at 25th Street from the South Saskatchewan River. (Trevor Bothorel/CBC)

One man is going up the river for illegally swimming in the South Saskatchewan River.

Police and firefighters faced a difficult rescue on Thursday morning when they pulled a man — who turned out to be wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for being unlawfully at large — from the river in Saskatoon.

Rescue personnel were called to the river just north of the 25th Street bridge after a passerby heard a person swimming in the river.

When rescuers attempted to pull the 25-year-old man into their boat, he tried to fight them off.

Police say he was eventually restrained and taken to shore.

Swimming in the South Saskatchewan River is dangerous due to the swift river currents and is prohibited by a city bylaw.

The man was charged with assaulting a police officer and issued a ticket for taking the dip.

He will appear in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday afternoon.