Man wanted on Canada-wide warrant nabbed for swimming in Saskatoon

One man is going up the river for illegally swimming in the South Saskatchewan River.

Police and firefighters faced a difficult rescue on Thursday morning when they pulled a man who turned out to be wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for being unlawfully at largefrom the river in Saskatoon.

Rescue personnel were called to the riverjust north of the 25th Street bridgeafter a passerby heard a person swimming in the river.

When rescuers attemptedto pull the 25-year-old maninto their boat, he tried to fight them off.

Police say he was eventually restrained and taken to shore.

Swimming in the South Saskatchewan River is dangerous due to the swift river currents and is prohibited by a city bylaw.

The man was charged with assaulting a police officer and issued a ticket for taking the dip.

He will appear in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday afternoon.