Calgary police are crediting the quick actions of a citizen for saving a woman from a frigid lake in a southeast park.
Late Sunday morning, 27-year-old Stuart Harris witnessed a woman falling through the ice at Elliston Park as she attempted to rescue her dog. Harris tied a tow rope around his waist and entered the lake in an attempt to rescue the woman.
“I was relying on my knowledge to stay safe and to help her out and not to get pulled in as well,” explains Harris.
A CPS member driving along 17 Ave. S.E. saw the rescue effort and stopped to assist.
Harris reached the woman but her exposure to the water left her unable to clutch the rope. Harris placed the rope around himself and the woman, and the police officer helped pull the two towards shore. A second CPS member arrived at the scene and entered the lake to assist the pair to solid ground.
The dog successfully returned to shore.
Police are lauding Harris' actions.
“This is just one of those events that happens in Calgary that makes you proud to be a Calgarian,” said CPS Duty Staff Sergeant John McCarthy. “This citizen without any thought to his own accord did what needed to be done, he didn't wait for other people, he took great risk to himself to really save this lady's life.”
EMS transported the unidentified woman to hospital for treatment of hypothermia. Harris and the police officers received medical treatment at the scene.
Emergency officials are reminding Calgarians of the dangers in and around the city’s bodies of water and are advising citizens to stay off the ice.
