Calgary water crews rescue rafters from Bow River

The City of Calgary says a crew working on the weekend to get its water system functioning normally again ended up rescuing occupants of an overturned raft in the Bow River.

The city says the raft struck a bridge pillar upstream of the Shaganappi pump station on Sunday and the workers, who were already wearing lifejackets, sprung into action.

The workers threw ropes to the rafters, and also jumped into the water to help people to safety.

The city says the repairs to the broken feeder main are finished and crews are now restoring pressure to the system, which when complete will mean water-use restrictions in the city and surrounding region can be gradually lifted.