Intoxicated man handed theft charge after river rescue

A 37-year-old man may not be entirely thankful after Saskatoon firefighters pulled him from the South Saskatchewan River.

Saskatoon police said they were called out to the Train Bridge, northeast of downtown, around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday for reports of a man in the water.

Officers reportedly found the man intoxicated and holding onto one of the bridge pillars, prompting a call for the Saskatoon Fire Department rescue boat.

The man was retrieved from the water and brought to shore, where police discovered he was wanted in connection to a theft.

The man was subsequently charged with theft under $5,000.

In a media release, the Saskatoon Fire Department urged people to be aware of the danger posed by the river.