Fire Captain Steve Thompson describes the rescue of a missing 11-year-old girl near Police Point Park ( Tiffany Goodwein/ CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Girl found

Medicine Hat Fire Department boat search locates missing child

Jun 7, 2020 | 3:59 PM

MEDICINE HAT AB- The Medicine Hat Fire Department combed through the waters near Police Point Park Sunday afternoon in an effort to try and locate a missing 11-year-old girl.

“We had a report of a missing girl in the Police Point Park area and police were looking for assistance for a river search so we responded,” said fire captain Steve Thompson.

Four members of the Medicine Hat Fire Department along with the platoon chief, were dispatched by boat for the search, which lasted approximately two hours, according to Thompson.

“After we went down river we were down there about two miles from the Strathcona, Police Point Park area, they turned around and proceeded to head back up river and check the banks and at that point one of our members spotted her on the river bank. We pulled the boat as close to the bank as we could get and he jumped out and was able to contact her, get a life jacket on her, get her back on the boat and we brought her back to the Strathcona Park boat launch,” Fire captain Steve Thompson explained.

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The boat used in the search (Tiffany Goodwein/ CHATNewsToday)

The missing girl was found about a mile and half from where she was last seen at her home.

Luckily the girl was found safe and did not require any medical attention, according to Thompson.

As stream flows grow more aggressive during this time of year, Thompson said it is a poignant reminder to stay safe around the river.

“The river is really moving now, it’s up high with all this rain we’ve had. Our biggest concern was that with all this rain and the river banks and how muddy and slippery they are that, you know you might be going for a walk along the riverbank and think ‘ oh it’s okay I’m not really there but with the mud it only takes a second and you would be in the water,” he said.