Police rescue two men in dinghy on Lake Ontario

TORONTO – The Toronto marine rescue unit had to be called Wednesday evening to help two men stranded in Lake Ontario.

The men, both 19, were out paddling in a small dinghy when they were pushed far from the shore by strong winds.

Sgt. Eric Goodwin of the police marine unit says the pair were located just before 8 p.m. about eight kilometres from shore.

The two didn’t have any rescue equipment, but did call for help using a cell phone, and police used the co-ordinates of the signal to track them down.

Neither man was injured.

Police said the small watercraft they used is not designed for a lake as large as Lake Ontario.

“The seas were extremely rough … we ourselves were hitting a couple of six-footers out there,” Goodwin said.

“These young fellas are lucky to be alive.”