A Winnipeg woman is being hailed as a hero after saving a father and his child from the Red River last month.
Police officers were called to St. John’s Park shortly before 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 after receiving a report a child had fallen into the river, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Wednesday.
When officers arrived, they found the unconscious child on shore receiving first aid from a bystander. Police took over life-saving efforts before the child was rushed to hospital in critical condition. The child was later stabilized and is expected to make a full recovery.
The Red River (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)
Police said an investigation by the child abuse unit determined a woman witnessed the child fall into the water, followed by the child’s father, who tried to save his child. The woman jumped into the river, first pulling the father to safety before swimming back out for the child.
Police said she swam backward toward shore with the unconscious child on her chest while beginning life-saving measures, which she continued after reaching land.
Police said the woman’s “courageous and selfless actions” saved the child and father.
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Police are reminding people to exercise appropriate supervision and safety precautions around waterways.
scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca
Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott.
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