(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Police Service)

By Ian Gustafson

river rescue

Man saved from river after allegedly jumping from bridge

Nov 23, 2020 | 1:37 PM

The Prince Albert Fire Department executed a river rescue on Sunday after members were dispatched to a call of a man jumping off a train bridge into the water.

Fire Chief Kris Olsen told paNOW the man climbed on top of an ice chunk and waited for help.

At 3:40 p.m. yesterday Olsen said a pair of firefighters along with a police officer deployed the oceanic rescue boat which is an inflatable raft built specifically for ice and water rescue.

They brought the man onto the boat and took him to shore where he was taken into care by Parkland Ambulance. Olsen said crews took about a half an hour to complete the rescue.

Olsen said the ice makes for a more difficult rescue and but at the end of the day it came to a successful ending.

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Director of Public Affairs for Parkland Ambulance Lyle Karasiuk said a 42-year-old man was taken to hospital with significant hypothermia.

The Prince Albert Police Service were also helping with the rescue with members of the D Platoon assisting the fire department. Some of the officers talked with the man through loud speker to keep him calm while Constable Darcy Burns joined the firefighters in the raft wearing a wetsuit.

“I’ve never been a part of something like that,” Cst. Burns said in a media release. “It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and I’m glad we were able to help this resident and ensure his safety.”

Editors Note: This story was amended to include information provided by Parkland Ambulance and the Prince Albert Police Service.

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ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow