The dramatic rescue at Jock River yesterday afternoon serves as a stark reminder of how quickly our spring weather conditions can turn treacherous. Ottawa Fire Services responded to the scene just after 2 p.m. when a vehicle veered off Prince of Wales Drive and plunged into the swollen waterway.
I arrived at the scene about thirty minutes after first responders, and the tension was still palpable. Bystanders who had witnessed the rescue gathered along the riverbank, some still visibly shaken. One witness, Melissa Thornton, described the harrowing moments to me.
“It happened so fast. One minute the car was on the road, the next it was sliding down the embankment and into the water,” she said. “The current looked really strong.”
According to Ottawa paramedics, the driver, a man in his 40s, managed to escape the vehicle but became stranded in the frigid water. Water rescue technicians deployed immediately, racing against both time and the river’s flow.
Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Martin Leroux told me the rescue team faced challenging conditions. “Spring runoff has made the Jock River particularly dangerous this week. The water is cold, deep, and moving faster than usual,” he explained.
The rescue team used a specialized water craft to reach the stranded driver, who by then had been in the water for nearly fifteen minutes. His condition was serious – suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion from fighting the current.
“Every minute counts in cold water rescues,” said paramedic supervisor Carly Richardson. “The body loses heat approximately 25 times faster in water than in air of the same temperature.”
The driver was transported to hospital in serious but stable condition. Police are still investigating what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, though early reports suggest mechanical failure may have played a role.
This incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns about this stretch of Prince of Wales Drive. Local resident James Morrison, who has lived nearby for over two decades, told me this isn’t the first vehicle to end up in the river.
“We’ve been asking the city for guardrails along this bend for years,” Morrison said. “The road curves right alongside the river with nothing but a small shoulder between them.”
Councillor Carol Anne Meehan, who represents the area, arrived at the scene and addressed these concerns. “Today’s incident will definitely prompt a safety review of this section of roadway,” she assured gathered residents. “I’ll be bringing this up at next week’s Transportation Committee meeting.”
Ottawa Police remind drivers to use extra caution near waterways during spring thaw when roads can be slippery and embankments unstable. They also advise keeping windows slightly open when driving near water – a small measure that can make escape easier if a vehicle becomes submerged.
As I left the scene, cleanup crews were working to extract the vehicle from the river. Environmental response teams were also present to address any potential fluid leaks from the submerged car.
For residents who regularly travel this route, today’s events serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly ordinary commutes can turn life-threatening. The swift response from our emergency services likely prevented what could have been a tragedy.
The driver’s family has requested privacy during his recovery. Meanwhile, this section of Prince of Wales Drive remains under increased police observation as authorities complete their investigation and assess safety improvements.
