Hamilton Police rescue three people whose flamingo floatie strayed too far from shore

Three adults had to be rescued from Lake Ontario near Pier 4 after their giant pink flamingo floatie drifted too far from shore Wednesday (July 15) morning.

Three adults had to be rescued from Lake Ontario near Pier 4 after their giant pink flamingo floatie drifted too far from shore Wednesday (July 15) morning.

Hamilton Police say shortly after 2:00 a.m., officers ventured into the waters of Lake Ontario to look for a large pink flamingo pool float carrying three adults.

Police say the family had entered the water from Pier 4 shortly after 10:00 p.m., equipped with oars and an air horn, but none had life jackets. The family was unable to paddle back to shore and floated for four hours on the water.

They decided to call 911 when the colder temperatures started to set in and large ships passed by them on the water.

Officers were able to locate the family four kilometres from the shoreline. They were safely brought back to shore and no medical treatment was required.

Hamilton Police ask residents to keep in mind that recreational floatation devices should be tied off when used in large and deep bodies of water.

The stabilization and unpredictability of these leisure-style floatation devices can be dangerous and untrustworthy.