Harrison – Kent Harrison Search and Rescue were paged just after 7PM on Monday May 30, to assist Agassiz Fire and BCEHS for reports of a vehicle submerged in Harrison Lake off Rockwell Drive. The Spirit of Harrison was launched, as was the RCMP vessel.
When SAR members arrived on scene, a member of KHSAR was able to pull an occupant out of the vehicle and with assistance from Agassiz Fire was able to bring the occupant to the roadside and into a waiting Ambulance.
The occupant was then handed over to BCEHS Air Ambulance.
KHSAR would like to thank Agassiz FD, RCMP, BCEHS, and others for all the assistance.
Other social media reports say the occupant is OK however the cause of the accident in not known. There has been speculation that there was a medical or mechanical incident, but that has yet to be confirmed.
From RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk, Media Relations Officer:
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 30th, 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.”
