One person is in hospital in critical life-threatening condition after an accident on the Bow River on Wednesday evening. 

According to the Calgary Fire Department, at approximately 6:40 in the evening, the Calgary Fire Department aquatics team was dispatched to the 7100 block of Bow Crescent for reports of two people who had fallen into the Bow River.

"One person was calling for help and the other was possibly trapped under the paddleboards they were using. Firefighters from the aquatics team as well as firefighters from 15 engine found the one patient in the water and started CPR as soon as they pulled them out. On shore, patient care was then transferred to EMS paramedics. The patient was transported to hospital," according to a press release by the City of Calgary.

In light of the incident, the Calgary Fire Department is warning river users that where there is water, there is a risk.

"Although that risk can never be completely eliminated, informing yourself and your family/friends about the rules and best water safety practices is imperative."

The Fire Department urges river users to never hard tie two or more watercraft together in swift water as the line connecting the two can get caught and pull the watercraft underwater which in turn can pull people underwater and trap them.

"Watercrafts such as paddle boards and surfboards, have leashes that can attach to the user, which prevents the board from floating away if you fall off. When using these types of watercraft on a river, it is safest to have a quick release which will prevent the line from getting tangled and potentially pulling people underwater, another option is to have a knife or other cutting tool or to attach the leash to a more accessible portion of your body such as a wrist or not wear the leash on swift water."

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