Cameron Granger was driving on Schubert Drive in Kamloops, British Columbia, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday when he noticed individuals frantically signaling for help. He was among three onlookers who swiftly entered the North Thompson River to aid the occupants of a vehicle that had plunged into the swift-flowing waters.
Recalling the moment, Granger mentioned making a quick turn, dashing back, descending the embankment, and leaping into the water. Another bystander shattered a car window, rescued a woman, and then, with water up to his knees, Granger pulled her to safety.
Granger modestly stated that his actions were driven by instinct and a sense of duty to help others in need. Despite uncertainty during the rescue, he remained focused on changing the perilous situation.
While a 21-year-old woman was successfully rescued from the submerged car, officials presume a 24-year-old woman drowned. Additionally, one of the rescuers required hospitalization following the incident.
The search for the submerged vehicle has been temporarily halted due to unsafe river conditions and poor visibility. Diana Gerlof, a spokesperson for Kamloops Search and Rescue, explained that the river’s depth, ranging from six to eight meters due to spring snowmelt, poses risks for the search teams.
Gerlof mentioned that search operations will resume once conditions improve, as the current low visibility hampers search efforts using drones and an RCMP helicopter. She expressed hope that focusing on the area where the car sank would aid in locating it in subsequent search missions.
Natasha Winston, residing near the incident site, recounted how her husband, Pierre Beaulieu, joined the impromptu rescue effort, using makeshift tools to assist in saving the car occupants. She described the rescue as a chaotic blur, with her husband disappearing for 20 minutes before returning with the rescued individual.
Winston commended her husband’s bravery and resourcefulness, emphasizing his role as a true hero in the rescue operation. The traumatic experience has led her to establish a memorial near the accident site, expressing hope for the recovery of the missing individual amidst the challenges faced.
The community remains hopeful for a positive outcome as efforts continue to locate the missing person in the tragic river accident.