On May 3, 2008 shortly after 2pm, District 9 RCMP in Belledune received a call of a capsized canoe in the Bay of Chaleur off of Gagnon Lane in Jacquet River, N.B.
When the RCMP arrived, a bystander had already tried to rescue the 45-year old man who had fallen out of the canoe. The man could not swim, was not wearing a life jacket, was losing strength quickly and was 30 metres from shore.
Cpl. Daniel Melanson, quickly removed some of his clothing and gear and jumped into the frigid waters swimming out to the man. By the time Cpl. Melanson reached him, the man had slipped under the water hanging on to the canoe with one hand. Cpl. Melanson grabbed the drowning man and swam him back to shore. The rescue lasted two to three minutes.
The man, who lives in Benjamin River, was taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment of hypothermia. He was in stable condition. Cpl. Melanson did not suffer any injuries.
- 30 -
Sgt. Scott Sawyer
District 9 RCMP
506-789-6000
