About 1,500 participants in the annual float — an event often lubricated by alcohol — wound up stranded on the Ontario side of the river. Many had to be sent back across the border, with Sarnia Transit buses running an estimated 19 trips to ferry them home. Sarnia officials are expected to meet this week to review Sunday’s rescue operation. A Coast Guard official noted many involved in the weekend event had no personal flotation devices. Bradley said there would have been “a lot more problems” had Sarnia police told the refugees to find their own way home to Michigan.

Source: National Post August 23, 2016 19:52 UTC