Four rafters were rescued from the Red Deer River after being stranded in their bathing suits for more than six hours on Saturday.
The rafters set out around 2 p.m. from the A-Soo-Wuh-Um day use area, west of Penhold, en route to Heritage Ranch in Red Deer.
Six and a half hours later, the rafters, all in their mid-20s, were still trying to make it to Heritage Ranch.
Ric Henderson, Red Deer County director of Community and Protective Services, said the river is quite low now with a slow-moving current.
He said people underestimate the time it takes to go down the river at this time of the year.
“These folks were in swimsuits,” he said.
“They were lucky they had a cellphone to call for help. By the time dusk comes, the temperature is dropping off rapidly. When you’re wet down in the river valley and there’s a breeze, it doesn’t take long to get pretty darn cold.”
Members of the Red Deer County fire department, patrol and Red Deer Search and Rescue located the foursome about eight km south of Heritage Ranch. They were walking along the shore in the river because their raft was no longer working.
“They were cold and wet,” said Henderson. “The river’s banks are pretty steep in some spots. Again, they are pretty lucky.”
Henderson said the river is dangerous this time of year.
He said this situation highlights the dangers of heading out on the river without proper preparation.
The four rafters were assessed and taken to their vehicles. There were no injuries and alcohol was not involved.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate