Two anglers likely owe their lives to Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services after being rescued from the ice covered pier on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
At approximately 6:50 a.m. Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched to the west pier on Lake Ontario for two anglers that were stranded.
The two anglers had walked out on the boulders onto the pier earlier on in the morning, but the weather deteriorated.
With waves pounding against the pier and temperature below freezing the water turned the rocks and pier to a sheet of ice trapping the anglers.
Port Hope Police were dispatched and first contacted Search and Rescue from CFB Trenton, but were told it would take two hours for them to respond, so the fire department was called.
“The rock face that they had to traverse back was covered in ice,” said Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services District Chief Brian Bernard.
With the route back to safety too dangerous because of a sheet of ice, firefighters wearing a dry suit entered the water with a RDC (rapid deployment craft) with waves breaking over the boulders.
With the help of firefighters, the two individuals climbed onto the RDC and were taken to shore.
When the reached the shore the two individuals were holding hands. Parts of their clothing was ice covered and they were helped from the RDC to shore and placed in their vehicle to warmup.
Paramedics were dispatched, but both anglers said they were fine.
A sign close to the bounders states, “WARNING – Access beyond this point is unsafe. Rocks are uneven and can be slippery – NOT FOR PUBLIC USE.”
Bernard summed it up by stating, “people take risks and I guess that’s why we get called.”
Jason Williams who is the Director of Protective Services for the Municipality of Port Hope stated, “We would like to remind the residents and visitors to Port Hope of the importance of adhering to posted warnings such as those at the location of this incident. When individuals do not adhere to posted warnings or applicable laws they not only put themselves at risk but also the first responders who attend as part of the rescue operation. This is just another fantastic example of the kind of work that the men and women of PHFES do everyday to keep our community safe.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
