A canoe ride on the Assinboine River turned into a harrowing ordeal for two women on Saturday.
Their canoe capsized, and for a time they ended up stranded on a small island.
Water rescue crews sped out to bring the pair back to shore. The women ended up stranded for about an hour.
Police and fire both attended.
The women say they are conscious about safety and carry a mobile phone and a whistle.
They say the canoe capsized because they hit an unexpected tree sweeping over the water.
"It was cold,” said Norah McMurtry.“The current was really something to contend with, but we were lucky that we could grab on to the little island."
The pair all the emergency crews who responded kept them warm and treated them well. They say they are thankful to the witnesses who saw the canoe called 911.
"At first, I said, ‘No, that's not a boat.’ And sure enough, it was a boat and we heard the whistling,” said Candace Cleroux.
Apart from some muddy feet, the women say the only damage from the affair today is to their dignity.
Responders were also able to locate the canoe near Omand's Creek, took it to shore, and returned to the women.
