Man, child rescued after falling out of canoe on Mills Lake, Tay Valley Township

Lanark OPP responded to an urgent situation on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 20 when a man and toddler fell out of a canoe while paddling on Mills Lake in Tay Valley Township.

“Neither was wearing a life jacket, but they were able to swim to a nearby island,” reads a media release from OPP. “They were stranded there, as their canoe was blown away by strong winds.”

Officers were able to use the canoe, which was found on the shoreline, to bring the pair back to shore where they were checked out by Lanark County Paramedics.

Police emphasize that this is more evidence of the importance of wearing a life-jacket or personal flotation device (PFD).

“Thankfully this story had a happy ending, but the OPP encourages EVERYONE to wear a life jacket or PFD when on the water,” the release says. “They can’t save your life if they float way.”