Early Thursday, August 13th, a crew of a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CH-146 Griffon helicopter from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 8 Wing proceeded to a successful rescue near Thistle Lake, Ontario.
At around 1:00 a.m., the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Trenton received a call for assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police from North Bay. One person, in good condition, was unreachable on the shore of a river. The boater had spent about 12 hours stranded at the bottom of some rapids. A family member called OPP for assistance since it was unusual that the person wasn’t back on time.
Members of 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron were on scene within three hours.
Their Griffon Helicopter couldn’t land in the area because of the unsuitable terrain associated with the rapids. A high altitude rescue was performed by hoisting the patient into the helicopter and safely transported him to West Nipissing General Hospital.
