Emergency personnel were pressed into action on a number of occasions over the weekend saving swimmers from dangerous waters along the Lake Huron shore.
Lambton Shores Fire Chief Lawrence Swift said they handled four water-related calls at Grand Bend Beach Sunday.
"At some points, numerous people found themselves in undertows and unable to help themselves," said Swift. "Luckily the majority of the people were saved either through self-rescue, Good Samaritans or the fire department and other emergency services. At one point, we along the beach had 11 people requiring treatment from exhaustion and breathing in water after being caught."
On Saturday night a 43-year-old Brampton resident drowned at Port Franks Beach.
Lambton OPP said the victim entered the water with another swimmer at around 7 p.m. A bystander rescued one of them but the body of the other was found Sunday morning.
An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.
Swift said another drowning occurred just to the north in south Huron but further details had not yet been released.
He said people went in the water despite being warned not to because of high waves and undertows.
"This is the season and time of the year that people like to get out into the water, but moving water such as in wave conditions is extremely powerful," said Swift. "You need to take all precautions and err on the side of safety. Using personal floatation devices for children and adults that don't swim, and really you need to know where your capabilities are and stay well within them."
