By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
In a summer marred by water incidents and drownings, the inviting Caribbean blue-green colored waters of Georgian Bay claimed another life on 20 October 2021. Rahul Makhija, a 23-year-old from Scarborough, Ontario, encountered difficulties while in the water at the Grotto in the Bruce Peninsula National Park (BPNP).
Nick Wilson, OPP Media and Community Safety Officer states that “The individual entered the water willingly, and then became in distress… Overall the investigation is non suspicious in nature.”
Emergency personnel respond to 911 call
At approximately 4:15 p.m., Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Bruce County Emergency Medical
Services (EMS), Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire Department, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and Parks Canada’s Staff responded to a report of an injured party near Cyprus Lake Road in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula. The 911 call was placed by a Park visitor. There is no lifeguard at the Grotto.
Parks Canada’s internal staff dispatch line for incidents within park boundaries was contacted by 911 operators. Parks Canada’s Visitor Safety team members responded and supported the efforts of first responders. The Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire and EMS were on the scene first.
Prior to EMS and Fire Personnel arriving, two off-duty emergency personnel and other park visitors assisted the swimmer by performing life saving measures.
OPP arrived approximately 40 minutes later on the scene, by that time the individual was already pronounced deceased by the first responders. The Coast Guard aided in the recovery efforts.
A second person was injured while attempting to help the deceased individual. They were treated and released from the Lion’s Head Hospital.
Jack Burt of the Northern Bruce Peninsula Fire Department declined to comment on the incident at this time as it is currently under investigation by the Coroner.
Coroner says victim drowned
The Coroner, Dr George Harpur, says while the investigation is not yet completed, it has been established that the individual drowned. He also confirms that the individual had entered the water from some height.
Jumping from the cliff into the water is a popular fun activity at the Grotto. While there is signage and advice dispensed by passersby about the risk, the practice continues. This time of year the water is cold and a sudden immersion can be a shock to the body. Harpur explains, “being in cold water can immobilize a person and if you don’t have flotation, you are going down.” His advice on cliff jumping is “Don’t do it!”
Additionally, the rugged coastlines are fraught with danger from currents, undertows, underwater rocks and crevices. On August 9, rescuers spent 6 hours freeing a person whose leg was stuck in an underwater crevice at Mermaid’s Cove (Issue 14, Bruce Peninsula Press).
Safety Signs warning of dangers posted throughout Park
Ethan Meleg, Acting Superintendent of Bruce Peninsula National Park states “Water safety signs are placed at strategic locations throughout Bruce Peninsula National Park, including at the entrance to the Georgian Bay shoreline near the Grotto and Indian Head Cove. The signage indicates the hazards of navigating rugged shoreline and swimming or jumping into the cold, deep water of Georgian Bay.” Swimming is not recommended and visitors do so at their own risk.
The Water Safety Sign at the Grotto clearly describes the demographic most at risk: “Tragically, someone dies almost every year along the park’s Georgian Bay shoreline. It is usually a young man, 18-30 years old.”
When asked about there being no lifeguard at the Grotto, Meleg says that “Parks Canada is not considering lifeguards at this time.” However he stresses “Visitor safety is of utmost importance to Parks Canada, and we maintain a strong visitor safety presence in Bruce Peninsula National Park throughout the operational season.”
Visitor safety staff trained to respond to emergencies
Meleg describes the response and safety protocols in place at the Park “Bruce Peninsula National Park has a team of visitor safety staff who are trained in initial emergency response for incidents in the water and on land. Parks Canada’s first responders work in close partnership with the region’s local emergency response organizations.”
Parks Canada undertakes a formal debrief immediately after every serious visitor safety incident. In the days following an incident, a detailed after-action review is conducted with all involved emergency response partners, such as OPP, EMS, Coast Guard, and the Fire department.
“This provides the opportunity to discuss the timeline of events, associated responses, and lessons learned. Furthermore, Parks Canada will be reaching out directly to the OPP, who lead the investigation, and to the Coroner to better understand any specific causal factors and to take steps to further improve visitor safety” explains Meleg.
Meleg emphasizes “Water safety is a top priority at Bruce Peninsula National Park and will continue to ensure that water safety messaging is communicated to visitors through the website, on-site signage, visitor guides, and in interactions with park staff.”
