Wear your life jackets, OPP warn, after youths survive 'close call' on Lake Erie
Police say the 4 young people were 'shaken up'
Provincial police in Haldimand County are reminding people there to always wear a life jacket following a "close call" for four young people who drifted out into Lake Erie and struggled to get back to shore.
Emergency services, including the OPP's marine unit and the Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre's search and rescue team, were called to Lakeshore Road in Selkirk just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Police say a witness reported four young people, without life jackets, had drifted nearly a kilometre from shore on a pair of paddle boards and were struggling to make it back.
Luckily, they managed to make it to land while emergency crews were still responding.
The youths were "shaken up from the ordeal," but otherwise in good health, according to OPP.
Police say anyone out on the lake should be wearing an approved personal flotation device or life jacket, regardless of how strong of a swimmer they are.
Hamilton police have also had a busy summer on the water, warning people to take their safety seriously.
The service was involved in three separate rescues over the course of a month that involved floaties, including a giant flamingo, that ended up far from shore.