A Harrison Hot Springs man who dove head-first into shallow water striking a submerged rock at Williamson Lake was lucky he was spotted by a friend who pulled him from the water and administered first aid, Revelstoke RCMP said Wednesday.
Cpl. Thomas Blakney said in a statement that the incident occurred Tuesday, July 28, at the popular swimming area four kilometers south of town. RCMP and personnel from the Fire Rescue Service both attended the incident.
The 36-year-old man had a deep cut in his head and was transported by BC Ambulance Service paramedics to Queen Victoria Hospital and then airlifted to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops suffering from breathing difficulties and numbness in his arms and legs. He is currently listed in critical but stable condition.
“With expected (arrival of) hot weather and the temptation to cool off in open water, the Revelstoke RCMP cannot stress enough the importance of being aware of your surroundings, especially when jumping in water,” Blakney said in the statement.
