Skip to content

Quick acting residents likely saved a life

The vehicle had gone off the road and rolled down the hill and had stopped upside down in the creek.

RCMP News

The quick thinking action of some local residents likely saved a man’s life.

On April 13, at approximately 10:25 pm, Castlegar RCMP, along with the Pass Creek and Castlegar Fire departments responded to a single vehicle accident at the 1700 block of Pass Creek Road.

The vehicle had gone off the road and  rolled down the hill and had stopped upside down in the creek.

Local residents were on the scene quickly and when they went to assist the lone occupant, they found him trapped and  had to help him hold his head above the water and offer comfort until he could be rescued.

Police officers entered the water as well, and were able to cut the male’s seatbelt.

Fire fighters then had to use the jaws of life hand tools to cut the man out of the truck.

The male, a 46-year-old Castlegar man, was taken to Trail hospital with serious injuries and remains in the intensive care unit.

His injuries are not believed to be life threatening, however, alcohol is suspected to be a factor in this accident.

Police continue its investigation and are asking any witnesses, or any other persons that assisted in this rescue whom have not been spoken to by police as of yet to  contact the Castlegar RCMP detachment at (250) 365-7221.

“Police would also like to thank those bystanders who, without hesitation, went into the very frigid creek to assist this victim pending the arrival of the Police and Fire departments,” Sgt Laurel Mathew. “Their actions very well may have saved this man’s life.”