An OPP Marine Unit vessel is seen near a capsized boat on the Detroit River off LaSalle, August 8, 2020. Photo provided by Ontario Provincial Police.An OPP Marine Unit vessel is seen near a capsized boat on the Detroit River off LaSalle, August 8, 2020. Photo provided by Ontario Provincial Police.
Windsor

Five people rescued from capsized boat on Detroit River

There were some tense moments on the Detroit River over the weekend for five people.

Members of the Essex County Ontario Provincial Police's Marine Unit spotted a capsized powerboat around 3 p.m. Saturday on the river near LaSalle.

According to OPP Constable Jim Root, the 13-foot Tri Hull fibreglass powerboat, occupied by two adults and three children, had flipped over in the Fighting Island shipping channel between Canada and the U.S. Two large lake freighters were passing through the area at the same time.

All five people were rescued by the Marine Unit, along with a passerby who was aboard an American-based vessel. The group was returned to shore without injury, which the OPP attributed to everyone wearing life-jackets. The capsized powerboat was also retrieved and returned to shore.

The occupants have not been identified, and it was not disclosed where the trip originated from.

A capsized boat is shown on the Detroit River off LaSalle, August 8, 2020. Photo provided by Ontario Provincial Police. A capsized boat is shown on the Detroit River off LaSalle, August 8, 2020. Photo provided by Ontario Provincial Police.

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