SPONSORED BY MARIAN LOGAN INVIS
Although Comox Valley RCMP Consts. Gary Malyon, Tom Dadoas and Dave Thorson have only been in the area for two years or less respectively, they have quickly established themselves as selfless heroes within their new community.
On Oct. 9, 2017, the three constables responded to a call of a woman behaving erratically near Anderton Road in Courtenay.
Const. Malyon located the woman who had entered the Puntledge River and was holding onto a branch behind the Home Hardware business.
As Const. Malyon attempted to throw a lifeline to the woman, she let go of the branch and began to flow downstream. Const. Dadoas had positioned himself downstream had time to throw out a lifejacket and the woman grabbed onto it as she was pulled further out into the river.
Const. Thorson removed his police equipment and entered the water. He swam out to the woman, grabbed ahold of her and towed her to the other side of the river.
The Courtenay Fire Department and BC Ambulance arrived and assisted in extricating Const. Thorson and the woman out of the river and up the bank.
The woman was transported to local hospital for treatment.
“In those situations we look at it and rely on our training,” explained Const. Malyon, who has been a member with the RCMP for 17 years, but was recently posted to the Valley just over one year ago.
“We knew things were unfolding quickly and the situation called for our immediate feedback.”
The members faced a challenging dynamic situation which called on their team effort and critical thinking skills which allowed them to locat the woman and render assistance immediately.
All the members involved were key in providing a response under difficult circumstances and placed their own safety at risk while saving the life of the victim.
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