(KENORA, ON) A Kenora family has been located safely after spending three nights stranded in the area of Trapline Lake over the weekend. On Monday, January 27, 2014 the Marine and Trails Unit (MTU) from the Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were notified that a local pilot had located a family of four, including two children aged 6 and 10. Police were advised that the pilot had been contacted by family members for assistance as the Kenora family had not returned home on January 25 as scheduled.
Police learned the family had left Kenora on Saturday, January 18 to spend a week trapping north of Minaki in the area of Wingiskis Lake. On their return trip on January 24, they had mechanical problems with one snow machine and the other machine became stuck. They had survival gear that made it possible to build a shelter, light a fire and enough food to survive until Monday when they were located by the pilot.
The OPP would like to remind the public of the importance of carrying proper survival gear, having a plan and telling someone when you leave and when you are to return. This family’s experience is an example of how proper preparation can prevent a difficult situation from becoming a tragedy.
