The search continued Thursday for a man who was swept into the fast-moving waters of the Humber River after attempting to save his dog.
Emergency crews were notified around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday that a 32-year-old man had entered the water and was carried away. Rescue crews said they believe the man had gone near the river after his dog, and may have been carried downstream from Lion’s Park, located near Lawrence Avenue and Weston Road in the city’s northwest end.
While the dog managed to makes its way out of the river, which had swelled after recent heavy rainfall, the man did not.
Police have not released the name of the man and said the investigation remains a rescue operation, not a recovery.
Officers from Toronto police’s marine unit scoured the river along the shoreline in an attempt to locate and pull the man out on Thursday.
Rescue personnel were also stationed at bridges and dams along the river.
However, the fast-moving, muddy waters were hampering rescue efforts, officials said, warning nearby residents to remain a safe distance from the river.
“Everyone loves their pets but dogs are much stronger swimmers than people are,” Sgt. Dave Zebeski told CTV Toronto. “They can get their feet on rocks and they can drag themselves out. And that’s exactly what happened in this situation.”
He continued: “You have to think about where you are. You’re talking about fast moving water that is very, very dangerous.”
The search was briefly suspended Wednesday night due to concerns about emergency personnel working in the dark.
With files from CTV Toronto
