A 13-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after he was injured in a remote area of Algonquin Park during Saturday night’s severe thunderstorm.
“A mother and young son had been camping when major thunderstorms with strong winds rolled through the area Saturday night,” OPP said in a news release Sunday. “A tree fell on their tent, and the 13-year-old was left with very serious injuries and no way to get to help.”
With no cell service, the mother used a satellite SOS device to call for emergency assistance. A complex ground response was then launched, as poor weather made air rescue impossible overnight.
Upper Ottawa Valley OPP, along with emergency response teams, joined Algonquin Park Rangers and Renfrew County Paramedics in mobilizing from the closest accessible point.
Navigating storm-wrecked roads and trails, crews had to clear their path by hand until chainsaws could be brought in.
Eventually, the responders reached a launch point, where they paddled by canoe to the campsite.
First aid was administered on scene.
By early Sunday morning, improved conditions allowed a Ministry of Natural Resources float plane to land on a nearby lake. The boy and his mother were flown out and transferred to hospital.
According to OPP, also involved in the rescue were provincial operations centres, Algonquin Park’s duty officer, and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. The Deep River Fire Department provided crucial equipment that helped responders access the scene more quickly.
OPP say coordination, training and persistence across all the different agencies led to the successful outcome.
“The seamless teamwork of this successful rescue is an example of the resilience and training of all involved.”
