A 15-year-old has been airlifted to a Toronto trauma centre after a dangerous incident involving a jump from a bridge in Peterborough that resulted in contact with a passing boat, police say.
Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police, along with EMS and fire services, were called to McFarlane Street at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday after witnesses reported a youth had jumped from the bridge into the water.
Police say the teen attempted to jump as a large vessel was passing beneath the bridge. The youth struck the boat and entered the water, but did not immediately resurface.
Friends who were on the bridge jumped in to help before first responders arrived and assisted in pulling the youth from the water. The teen was taken to a local hospital before being airlifted by ORNGE Air Ambulance to a trauma centre in Toronto.
The bridge was closed while officers investigated the scene.
OPP are reminding the public that jumping from bridges is extremely dangerous due to hidden hazards such as shallow water, underwater debris, strong currents, and the risk of collision with watercraft. Police say such actions also place bystanders, boat operators and emergency responders at risk.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information or video footage who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact Peterborough County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
