Teamwork between RCMP, Digby Fire Department, Emergency Health Services (EHS) and the Canadian Coast Guard ensured a safe rescue for people on Bear Island.
On Saturday evening shortly after 6 p.m.
, Digby RCMP received a call about four individuals stranded on Bear Island, located off of Smiths Cove. Three females, ages 11, 12 and 17 and a 20-year-old male, all from Digby, had gone to Bear Island with plans on camping for the night, unaware that a storm was coming in.
The Digby Fire Department was unable to launch their Zodiac due to high waves and wind and the Canadian Coast Guard was called in to assist. The Coast Guard from Westport were dispatched to the area and were able to launch a rescue boat. By 10:30 p.m., all four persons were picked up and brought safely to Digby.
The four were ill prepared for their venture and showed early signs of hypothermia when rescued. They were treated by EHS on shore and released.
Source: Release