WARREN FESTIVAL Incident leads to canceled canoe rides

Firefighters used a rope to carry passengers to the bridge above.
WARREN -- Officials canceled plans to offer free canoe rides on the Mahoning River today after city firefighters were called Saturday to rescue a woman and two children who ran into trouble when water flooded their canoe.
"I'm thankful they're safe," said Trish Nuskievicz, president of the Mahoning River Consortium.
Nuskievicz said the free rides had been planned by the consortium, the Trumbull Canoe Club and the Trumbull County Metroparks as part of the Trumbull County Heritage Festival.
Nuskievicz said 10 canoes and two kayaks had gone out Saturday morning after riders were given safety and Red Cross instructions and were told to try to stay to the left.
One canoe turned sideways and was caught up in the river's current as it traveled under a Market Street bridge, Nuskievicz said. It was pushed against the side of the bridge and passengers stood up, trying to get out, as water entered the craft.
Warren firefighters were called and rescued passengers Pam Meyers of Leavittsburg and two children. All were lifted to safety by firefighters who climbed a rope to carry them to the bridge above.
"The river is higher than normal because of the flooding," said Nuskievicz, adding that the firefighters did a fantastic job. "We'll try again next year."