Huron County OPP say that a young girl is safe because of the quick thinking of a bystander over Labour Day weekend.
It happened around 10 a.m. Saturday off Rotary Cove Beach in Goderich. Police were told about a seven-year-old girl on an inflatable raft, who was caught in the wind and current on Lake Huron and being blown away from shore.
Constable Jamie Stanley said that the girl was about 50 metres offshore, and the child's family were not strong enough swimmers to bring her back in.
A 20-year-old Goderich man who happened to be on a walk near the scene saw what was going on and entered the water. He was able to reach the girl and bring her back to shore.
The OPP credited the man with jumping into action, saying that if it weren't for him, the incident could have turned tragic.
Police are using this incident to remind people about safety on open water. Swimming in open water is vastly different from a swimming pool, where people may be surprised by waves, water temperature, dropoffs, currents, sandbars, and other characteristics.
The OPP suggests that swimmers buddy up, obey safety signs and signals, and wear life jackets.
