(INNISFIL, ON) – On June 24, 2026, at approximately 3:15 p.m., South Simcoe Police received a request from York Regional Police to assist in the search for an 11-year-old child who had been missing for approximately two hours after departing from the Innisfil shoreline in an inflatable kayak.
The child had reportedly intended to paddle to Snake Island and return. When the child did not return as expected, concerned family members contacted police. They were able to provide a detailed description of both the child and the kayak, along with information regarding the child’s familiarity with the lake and the safety equipment on board.
Members of the South Simcoe Police Marine Unit, alongside multiple assisting marine units, and with the deployment of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (drone), launched a coordinated search of the area.
South Simcoe Police members launched aboard Marine 1 and located the child approximately 1.5 kilometres from shore within five minutes of entering the water.
The child and kayak were safely brought aboard. Although in good health, the child was experiencing fatigue due to strong currents and mild winds. The child was subsequently returned to shore and reunited with family.
Police remind all boaters to ensure they have the proper safety equipment suitable for their vessel and to share their travel plans and expected return times with others before heading out on the water. Boaters are also encouraged to carry a reliable form of communication, such as a cell phone or GPS device, in case of emergency. The public is further encouraged to consider using location tools such as the What3Words app, www.what3words.com to assist first responders in quickly identifying their location during an emergency.
Conditions on the water can change rapidly, and the swift emergency response by South Simcoe Police members and all responding agencies played a critical role in bringing this young child home safely. What could have ended in a devastating tragedy instead became a lifesaving rescue, reflecting the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of first responders who work every day to protect our communities and public safety.
PR26018894
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Media Contact: Samah Othman,Corporate Communications Specialist
Email: samah.othman@southsimcoepolice.ca