Canoeists flip boat in Miles Canyon, get rescued by police

Three paddlers went for an unexpected and dangerous swim in Whitehorse's Miles Canyon on Wednesday, after they flipped their canoe.

RCMP say a Whitehorse man was paddling with a couple visiting from Quebec late Wednesday afternoon when they had themishap.

A passerby had seen the overturned canoe in the canyon and alerted police.

RCMP say the three paddlers had managed to swim to the canyon wall, climb out, and hang on until help could arrive. An RCMP boat came to retrieve them just downstream from the suspension bridge, at about 6 p.m.

The current through Miles Canyon is typically fast and strong, making it a dangerous spot to be in the water.

RCMP say the three paddlers were wearing life jackets, which likely saved their lives.