Off duty police officer rescues man from Harrison Lake

UFVRD Media Release

May 30, 2022

File 2022-19048

Off duty police officer rescues man from Harrison Lake

Harrison:  The actions of an off duty Agassiz RCMP officer who volunteers for Kent Harrison Search and Rescue, led to the rescue of a man trapped in a vehicle submerged in Harrison Lake on Monday night.

At approximately 7:10 pm on Monday, May 30^th, 2022, the Agassiz RCMP received a report of a vehicle which had  veered off the road and was submerged in Harrison Lake near Rockwell Drive.  Agassiz RCMP, Agassiz Fire, BC Ambulance and Kent- Harrison Search and Rescue attended to find a vehicle under water.

Initial rescue efforts were attempted by a local resident who dove into the water prior to the arrival of emergency personnel.  The good Samaritan, entered the water and attempted to break the window with a hammer without success.  Rescue efforts continued as an off duty Agassiz RCMP officer who volunteers with Kent Harrison Search and Rescue arrived on scene.  Cst. Ben Stewart plunged into the water, successfully broke a window and rescued the man from the vehicle.  The man was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.  He was airlifted to a regional hospital where he remains in stable condition.  Investigation into this incident continues and police are examining medical reasons as a potential cause of this crash.

“The bravery and quick actions of Cst Stewart led to the safe rescue of the occupant of the submerged vehicle,” says Sergeant Mike Sargent, Detachment Commander of the Agassiz RCMP.  “The community is fortunate to have Ben whose commitment to the communities he serves is evident both on and off duty.”