A fishing expedition on the Vermillion River turned into a chilling dip in the frigid waters for one man this week.
The 51-year-old man was fishing on the river and failed to return home. His family called police after locating his vehicle and trailer on the dock.
The man had been fishing, hit a log and fell out of his boat. He was wearing a floater suit. It took him an hour to swim to shore where he was located by the Marine Unit of the Greater Sudbury Police at 4 a.m. Thursday. When found, the man was conscious and responsive, however, he had no motor function. He appeared to be in a state of hypothermia and was taken to the Sudbury Regional Hospital for treatment.
The police want to remind the public that water temperature at this time of year are still quite frigid, and being submerged in freezing water at this time of year can be deadly. Blood flow leaves the extremities (hands/arms and feet/legs) and protects the main organs of the body, making it impossible to swim.
Life jackets are a must for all boating activity throughout the season.
