INFORMATION RELEASE

On July 13th at about 02:10am a man called 9-1-1 to report that someone had fallen into the Gastineau Channel near the downtown docks. Police Officers, CCF/R and the Coast Guard were dispatched to the area.

It was determined that several people were on the dock in front of the Downtown Library Parking Garage. A 49 year old man fell backwards, hitting his head on a large pipe and then fell into the water and lost consciousness. Two men and one woman jumped into the water to try to assist.

When Officers arrived on scene, they threw life rings to the subjects in the water. Officers held the rope and illuminated the area with a flashlight. By the time officer’s arrived, a female had already gotten out of the water.

One civilian rescuer was able to hold the unconscious man’s head out of the water and provided rescue breaths. Officers worked to assist the subjects in the water while maintaining safety on the docks. Another individual was trying to jump into the water and was restrained.

CCF/R arrived and sent two water rescue personnel into the water. The civilian rescuers were brought up the ladder onto the dock. The victim regained consciousness and was loaded into an ambulance and transported to BRH. Two of the civilian rescuers were also transported to BRH. Alcohol was a factor in the incident.