Police rescued three people who fell into the icy waters of Lake Ontario while skating.
“They were extremely lucky,” said Const. Stacy Kellough of the Toronto Police Marine Unit.
From our newsroom to your inbox at noon, the latest headlines, stories, opinion and photos from the Toronto Sun.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
“It doesn’t take long before your body can’t survive.”
A man and two women plunged in the water, which is at the freezing point. Emergency crews were called just after 8:30 a.m. on Monday for a water rescue after the three people were located in the water off the Toronto Islands.
Police said two people who were skating fell through the near Centre Island. A third person tried to help them and also fell in.
The recent spell of extremely cold weather brought on a flash freeze to shorelines.
“A two-day flash freeze will not make ice safe to walk or skate on,” said police.
The incident was called in by a person on the shore and police responded in minutes.
The trio were assessed by paramedics for hypothermia and transported to a hospital where they are expected to recover.
“The incident this morning could easily have ended in tragedy,” police said in a statement.