A coordinated emergency response on Georgian Bay resulted in the successful rescue of a seriously injured snowmobiler yesterday afternoon.
On February 16, 2026, just before 1:00 p.m., officers from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP received reports that a snowmobile rider had been injured near Present Island, several kilometres from the nearest land access. Police learned that a 54-year-old female was ejected from her machine after the track suddenly detached, causing the snowmobile to stop abruptly. The rider sustained serious injuries.
Given the remote location and hazardous ice conditions, a multi-agency rescue effort was quickly launched. Penetanguishene Fire Services responded with their ARGO unit, while Southern Georgian Bay OPP members deployed Marine Snow Vehicles to reach the injured rider. (see photo) Midland Fire Services and Simcoe County Paramedic Services also assisted in the operation.
Emergency responders worked together to safely extract the woman from the ice and transport her to Midland, where she was transferred to paramedics and taken to a local hospital for further treatment.
The OPP reminds snowmobilers and outdoor enthusiasts that emergencies can happen without warning, especially in remote or low-visibility areas. Always:
- Carry a charged cell phone or communication device.
- Share your travel plans with someone before you depart.
- Pack emergency supplies suitable for winter and remote terrain.
- Use location-identifying tools-such as the What3Words app-to quickly provide your exact position to emergency services in a time of distress.
