Here we are swimming at Bala Falls in 1995. Now, we know it isn't a safe place to swim.
These are now signs of the times.
"Danger - fast water", as well as memorials to a man who died on the train track - drunk, passed out, he didn't hear the train coming.
I am dreading more sirens. Uh oh, I hear them. It is noon and off they go.
Families having a nice picnic at Bala Falls - who now have grief and mourning with which to cope.
The 44-year old father of the 9-year old girl drowned. His brother is on life support in hospital after being revived.
CTV News has more information. Update: Aug. 7, last night the uncle of the child rescued passed away.
The water is rushing furiously, although the dam had been closed to permit OPP Rescue to retrieve the bodies of those who drowned downstream on Sunday.
Tourists sit and watch the rescue attempts
Volunteers control traffic. One is the wife of a volunteer firefighter
When will they learn? When will they ever learn?
A family swimming in the Bala Falls. The 9-year old child, with a life jacket, floats out with the current. The two men were trying to save her, which they did.
I walked into town, the EMS crew sirens always scream the worst news. The ambulance zoomed by, sirens blaring with the first victim. One is in hospital on life support.
And I saw much grief and shock in many faces as I walked along when the 2nd victim was taken out of the water.
"Two Men pulled from Bala Falls, " reports the Gravenhurst Banner.
I saw a firefighter walk over to his wife (who was directing traffic) and, with tears in his eyes, got a hug from her and went back to finishing up the job. What a man to be proud of. Who can imagine doing such a job? Our volunteer firefighters are always there at the scene, as well as the paid professionals. I bow to all in honour.
The impact on family members of those who die is profound. No question.
The impact on our incredible First Responders cannot go unrecognised. Incredible men and women who do the unthinkable. Pulling dead bodies from the water. How difficult a job. I know that the ambulance attendant who helped take my failing mother to hospital the day before she died felt grief.
I look at our wee granddaughter, and understand how much she can be loved. How they can put themselves, and the EMS crews at risk? Why do people insist on taking risks?
There have been extreme warnings. Yes, in the 'good old days' people went swimming in rapids. But these are NOT the good old days. With Climate Change and a cool, rainy July, the waterways are high, flooded and fast-moving.
One of the crew told the spectators to move on and off the bridge. "This isn't a spectator sport." I don't think it is so much a sense of gawking, as much as relief it is not OUR family. We are concerned. We want to hope that there is a chance of a rescue. We respect what the men and women in blue do. And those who risk their lives to recover those who perish.
AND I am so proud of our crews.
It is a comfort to know what a good job they do. It is relief to know that whatever happens, they are there and treating those who choose to participate in dangerous activities with dignity and respect. They treat the victim's families with dignity, too.
They are not accidents when you know there is a risk involved.
And if they did not know about the danger, they they haven't listened to every media report over the past part-week, as well as the ads on TV warning people about fast water and hydro dams.
"They were jumping off some rocks located above a fall," said Ontario Provincial Police Insp. Ed Medved. "There was foamy, aerated water - so they were swimming in bubbles which is virtually impossible, plus very strong currents in very turbulent water. This was a very dangerous and deadly spot to be swimming in and it was unfortunate they chose to do that."
One dead Friday, no lifejacket, bouncing on a wave and thrown. Boating causes more accidents, especially fishing.
Then 3 drowned Sunday on the Moon River Falls. They found the first body 24 hours later, the 2nd the next day, and finally found the third body today, Wednesday. It is a marvel to watch the video of crews at work. They have guts.How can they do this?
There was a plane crash in which two died. I read somewhere that his friend told him that at age 75 he ought not to be driving a plane. How much danger do seniors put themselves in, as much as 20-somethings? Is there a test for those driving a highly dangerous transporation medium as this?
Their plane did not clear the trees. This looks like wind or pilot error. What a risk he takes. We have seen planes on our lake that barely clear the trees. The wind is unpredictable.
In March we lost a mother and daughter through the ice. Bodies recovered from Muskoka lake 15 Mar 2009 ... Police have recovered the bodies of a mother and daughter from the cold waters of Lake Rosseau in Muskoka Lakes Township.
Be safe. Remember someone out there loves you. Stay out of fast-moving water.
Ontario Power Generation: LEARNING ZONEThe Kid's Guide to Staying Clear and Staying Safe. OPG has produced an interactive booklet warning children of the dangers around dams. For more information about safetyaround hydroelectric dams and stations, to obtain a free video, or free interactive CD-ROM for children, visit www.opg.com
Click on the poster images for OPGs downloadable water safety posters.
Here we are swimming at Bala Falls in 1995. Now, we know it isn't a safe place to swim.
The 44-year old father of the 9-year old girl drowned. His brother is on life support in hospital after being revived.
The water is rushing furiously, although the dam had been closed to permit OPP Rescue to retrieve the bodies of those who drowned downstream on Sunday.
