Ship and Anchor closes early Saturday after customer is taken to hospital in life-threatening condition

A man was rushed to hospital in critical life-threatening condition after an incident at the Ship and Anchor Pub amid festivities Saturday.

EMS spokesperson Stuart Brideaux tells CityNews paramedics were called to the bar on 17 Avenue and 5 Street SW after multiple reports about a man in medical distress at 6 p.m.

He couldn’t confirm details, noting a variety of factors could have been involved.

The man was rushed to Foothills Hospital. His condition at this time is unclear.

At around 8 p.m., the Ship and Anchor put out a statement saying it was closing for the evening, noting one of its customers suffered a “serious medical event.”

We are closed this evening pic.twitter.com/Ly8aCvAvma

— Ship & Anchor Pub (@Ship_and_Anchor) September 24, 2023

“This incident was traumatizing for everyone involved, and as a result, we have decided to shut down the pub for the remainder of the evening,” a statement from the pub reads.

It stated the bar would open again on Sunday.

The Ship and Anchor was celebrating Oktoberfest Saturday evening, which included live music, “Oktoberfest games, pretzels, and bratwursts.”

A bratwurst eating contest was happening at the same time, however, there is no confirmation the incident is linked to that event.

Concern for customer well-known to community

Nicola Trolez, a member of the Ship and Anchor management group, tells CityNews the customer is a “very well-known” member of the community, suffered a medical emergency and is currently in ICU.

“His status is uncertain to us as we have not had an update from the hospital or his family,” her email reads.

“As long as that is the case, we do not think it appropriate to comment on the situation, however, it is becoming a concern to us that there is much unfounded speculation as to what occurred and that this has the potential to to be upsetting to those closest to the incident.”

Trolez says they are passing information to limit “speculation” surrounding the incident with information from EMS, staff and customers on-site, and those with “some direct knowledge of the situation.”

“When the incident occurred, two individuals with medical experience quickly stepped in and performed CPR. The paramedics arrived quickly, resuscitated the man and took him to ICU,” her email continues.

“They indicated to our manager that there was no indication of choking and suspected a heart-related event. As to his current condition, we know only that he remains in hospital.”

She says the incident was traumatic to those who witnessed it — for both staff and customers — and the decision was made to close the bar for the rest of the day.

“We will concentrate [on] sending positive thoughts to our friend in the hospital,” Trolez said.