Two people were rescued after their SUV crashed into the Rideau River in Ottawa early Friday morning. Several bystanders quickly responded and helped the occupants reach the shore safely.
The accident happened around 5:50 a.m. near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Walkley Road, close to Mooney’s Bay. According to paramedics, the SUV entered the river, but both occupants managed to get out and were later examined and released at the scene.
Witness Lesley Tomlinson, who was a former lifeguard, said she heard the vehicle skid before it hit a traffic light pole, crossed the embankment and plunged into the water. When she arrived, another woman had already entered the river and helped the driver escape.
Tomlinson then entered the water to rescue the passenger, who could not swim. She instructed him to remain on his back while she supported his head and guided him toward the shore. The vehicle became completely submerged during the rescue.
Tomlinson later said the incident demonstrated the importance of knowing basic swimming and water safety skills. She stressed that people may unexpectedly face dangerous situations in water and that even basic swimming abilities can help save lives.
Police later confirmed that the SUV had been recovered from the Rideau River.
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