A local rescue team is lauding Good Samaritans after plucking someone from the waters off Gyro Park in the early hours of April 11.
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station Oak Bay was tasked out for an urgent page of a person in the water about 100 metres off Gyro Park Beach.
A 36-year-old man ended up in the 9 C water after a piloting mishap, the SAR team said in an online incident report. He spent about 15 minutes in the dark, cold water before help arrived in the form of community heroes.
Boaters on a nearby vessel who heard his cries for help jumped into action, rowing over and pulling the man onto a sailboat, just as the RCM SAR team arrived.
The patient was cold, wet, and suffering from a dislocated shoulder.
“Our crew transferred the patient to Oak Bay Marina, where we were met by Saanich Police, the CCG Cape Calvert, and BC Emergency Health Services, and the patient was handed over to paramedics just after 5 a.m.
“Accidents can happen in a split second, especially in the dark,” the SAR team said. “We are grateful for the Good Samaritans whose quick ears and fast rowing made a massive difference this morning.”
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