2 rafters rescued on Bow's Harvie Passage

The Calgary Fire Department's aquatic rescue team saved a pair of rafters who tried to pass through the new kayak recreation area on the Bow River on Friday afternoon.

Crews were called to the Harvie Passage at about 2 p.m. MT after reports two rafters were in peril, officials said.

Their raft capsized and pulled into the undertow of a water feature in the whitewater area. The rafters were washed ashore and not hurt.

Harvie Passage is not yet open to the public and the course is still being tested for integrity and safety, fire officials said.  

The Fire Department is reminding Calgarians when the new recreation area does open, the whitewater section is intended for kayaks, not rafts.