The quick actions of a local couple and a community of emergency response officers saved the life of a man last week, after he had fallen from his vessel into the waters near Sidney.
On the afternoon of July 15th, officers responded to a report of a man who was located in the waters offshore near Tsehum Harbour.
A couple who had been kayaking in the area noticed a Zodiac vessel circling without an operator. Concerned, they quickly located a man who had fallen off the vessel, face down in the water and unresponsive.
The couple rescued the man from the water and had a nearby sailboat radio for further assistance.
The man was taken ashore where RCMP officers, United States Coast Guard members, Parks Canada, Fire, Rescue and Ambulance responded.
The man received CPR and was resuscitated. He is currently in stable condition.
“The Sidney North Saanich RCMP is grateful to all of those who assisted in rescuing this man. Had it not been for the quick actions of all involved this man likely would not have survived,” said Corporal Andres Sanchez, Media Liaison with the Sidney North Saanich RCMP.
“This is an example for the public on the importance of wearing and having access to personal flotation devices while operating watercraft.”
