The Red River as seen from St. John’s Park (GOOGLE STREET VIEW)
Winnipeg police are crediting a bystander with saving the lives of a child and parent after the child fell into the Red River near St. John’s Park.
Police say they responded the evening of August 24 and located the unconscious child receiving emergency first aid from a bystander. Officers took over life-saving efforts until the child was transported to hospital in critical condition, later stabilizing. The child is expected to make a full recovery.
Police said the Child Abuse Unit’s investigation determined a witness saw the child enter the water, followed by a parent attempting to save them from drowning. The witness immediately jumped in to help both.
Police said the witness pulled the father from the water first, then swam out to reach the child, swimming backwards to shore with the unconscious child on her chest while performing life-saving measures, which she continued upon reaching shore.
“The Winnipeg Police Service commends the bystander’s courageous and selfless actions in coming to the aid of complete strangers,” WPS said in a statement. “She is being credited for saving both the lives of the child and the parent during this incident.”
Police are reminding the public to exercise appropriate supervision and safety precautions when visiting parks, waterways and other bodies of water.
