CLEARVIEW TWP. – Six people are safe, after police say they went tubing down the Mad River without proper equipment.

Huronia West OPP say that police were called out around 9 p.m. on June 23, after it was reported the six — including a six-year-old — were two hours overdue from coming down the river. Police say the group headed out on the river where it meets County Road 42, and were to come off at the Centre Line Road Bridge.

When police arrived, offers found three of the travellers at their end point, and were advised that the other three had abandoned the trek partway down the river, and had struck out into the bush to look for a trail or road.

The OPP launched an extensive ground search, and located the other three, who were still on their tubes in the water. Police say the group only had one lifejacket between them, and most were not wearing anything on their feet. Police say they also did not have a cellphone or other communication device, and "were not only inexperienced in this activity, but were unfamiliar with this waterway."

Police remind people to be responsible when enjoying the outdoors.