Swimmer transported to hospital after being rescued from Deschênes Rapids

The Deschenes Rapids on the Ottawa River on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)

Paramedics transported a swimmer to hospital after he got caught in the Deschênes Rapids on the Ottawa River Saturday afternoon.

The Ottawa Fire Services says it received a 911 call at 12:56 p.m. reporting a swimmer struggling and heading towards the dangerous rapids.

The person was found in the rapids when water rescue crews arrived, the fire service said in a news release.

A rescue team pulled the swimmer out of the water at about 1:21 p.m. It’s unclear if the person was wearing a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD).

Ottawa Paramedic Service spokesperson Neil Martin tells CTV News Ottawa that three units were sent to the scene. An adult male was transported to hospital in stable condition.

Officials have been warning of the dangers of being out on the water after a series of drownings on eastern Ontario lakes and rivers this summer.

The Ottawa Fire Services reported it had performed 13 water rescues at the Deschênes Rapids earlier this week, nearly reaching the total for all of last year.

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