Man hailed as hero after rescuing struggling child from north Edmonton pond – Edmonton | 24CA News
Fred Wasylyshyn says he’s shaken up however alright after his every day afternoon stroll became a water rescue mission when he saved just a little lady who was struggling in a pond close to his retirement dwelling.
“I’ve never had such an experience — it’s a gorgeous feeling,” Wasylyshyn mentioned.
The 86-year-old mentioned he was taking his canine, Bob, on a stroll across the pond in north Edmonton Thursday when he seen a lady round 4 years previous strolling in the direction of the water.
Fred Wasylyshyn is being referred to as a hero after he rescued just a little lady from a pond in north Edmonton Aug. 24, 2023.
Lisa MacGregor / Global News
Even as he yelled at her to cease, she saved strolling down in the direction of the stormwater facility, which may be harmful to swim in, in accordance with indicators posted across the water.
“I started hollering for help,” he mentioned.
Wasylyshyn watched because the lady saved strolling straight in the direction of the lake and took a step in. He mentioned he knew he needed to take motion, so he acquired off of his mobility scooter.
“I tried to walk down, I can’t walk on that rough ground,” mentioned Wasylyshyn. “I fell, but I got myself down there … (it was) real muddy.”
He made all of it the best way right down to the shore and acquired within the water to seize the lady.
“It was getting too deep for her, and she was sputtering, but for some reason she was still floating,” mentioned Wasylyshyn.
Wasylyshyn mentioned he grabbed her foot and pulled her in the direction of him and acquired her again to shore the place seven or eight folks had gathered round and referred to as paramedics.
Wasylyshyn’s spouse, Ruth, was on the financial institution throughout the rescue and returned dwelling to search out him shaking, lined in mud and soaking moist.
“My first thought was, ‘Did he have a heart attack?’” mentioned Ruth.
When she came upon the story, she mentioned it was unbelievable however in some way not stunning.
“(My husband is) a very caring person and would do anything to help anybody out,” she mentioned.
Wasylyshyn mentioned he was glad he was in the correct place on the proper time.
“If I’d have come down three or four minutes after that, I wouldn’t have seen her going down there,” he mentioned.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) instructed Global News it obtained a report of a kid within the water on the pond at round 2:30 p.m. One little one was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, in accordance with EFRS.
Alberta Health Services mentioned the kid was taken to hospital in secure situation for commentary.
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