Two people trapped by moving ice were rescued

Two people in a boat stranded approximately one kilometer off shore at Wellington Beach were rescued Sunday.

The boaters had left the shoreline in open water, then later were trapped by the moving ice and high winds.

Prince Edward County OPP and Fire and Rescue, Hastings Quinte Paramedic Services and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton (JRCC) and Hastings-Quinte Paramedics were on scene Sunday.

The wind impeded the fire department rescue boat from reaching the boaters. The JRCC conducted a successful hoist rescue for the boaters.

There were no injuries.

The OPP remind everyone the ice is constantly changing in response to weather and water conditions and is effected by many different factors including thickness, currents, age of the ice, pressure cracks and snow cover.

“While the water may look tempting for fishing or other activities, make the safe decision to stay away especially as recent temperatures have been erratic. Don’t put your own life, and the lives of first responders at risk,” said Constable Aaron Miller, PEC OPP Community Safety/Media Relations Officer