Long and treacherous river rescue
Posted Aug 11, 2013 6:49 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It was a very close call on the Bow River last night and not just for the two people who jumped from the Shouldice Bridge.
Calgary’s rivers have changed dramatically since the flood and officials say there are hidden dangers even for the most experienced rescuer.
Witnesses told 911 that a man and woman had jumped from the Shouldice Bridge into the frigid waters of the Bow River at around 10 p.m. Saturday, but only the man had made it to shore.
Three rescue boats and a HAWCS helicopter were dispatched to search for the missing woman.
At some point the woman made it to shore but officials believe the couple tried to avoid rescuers for fear of getting in trouble.
Ernie Molineaux, Battalion Chief for the Calgary Fire Department, tells 660News for the firefighters, it was a long and treacherous search in the boats, out on a dangerous river, in the pitch black, for longer than necessary.
He said the department would just like people to be responsible around the waterways.
“It takes time for our people to get out there, you know, they don’t arrive on site within seconds. It takes time to launch the boats and get them there. Just the consequences can be so terrible, dramatic, if people are just careless,” said Molineaux.
No charges are expected against the two people involved.
