A 36-year-old BC paddleboarder is alive today thanks to the heroic actions of an Invermere Mountie..Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said the drama began on June 29, 2021 just after 5 p.m., when Columbia Valley RCMP received a request to check the wellbeing of a woman, believed to be in distress and paddle boarding the Columbia River..“The caller received a phone call from a friend who sounded extremely distressed. She was able to determine her friend was likely paddle boarding on the Columbia River, having launched from James Chabot Park,” said O’Donaghey in a release..“Combined with additional information from a second 911 caller of a paddle boarder yelling for help, RCMP activated Columbia Valley Search and Rescue and called upon the local fire department to assist with a water rescue. Using information from more 911 callers, front line officer zeroed in on the woman’s location in the river near Capilo Way.”.O’Donaghey police spotted a 36-year-old Invermere woman bracing herself against a sandbar, in the middle of the 25-metre wide section of the river, in the midst of the strongest part of the current..“Those officers quickly recognized the victim, who had her head, neck and shoulders above water when they arrived, was experiencing fatigue and began to slip below the surface,” he said..The paddle boarder continued to plead for help and showed signs of losing her footing, as she battled against the unusually fast-moving waters of the Columbia, which according to local authorities was very cold, due to runoff and filled with dangerous debris..Const. Andrew Henneberry, who has been stationed at the Columbia Valley Detachment since joining the Royal Canadian Mountain Police back in 2017, recognized rescuers needed to act fast..“As an experienced competitive swimmer and swimming coach, armed with the knowledge that SAR personnel were at least 15 minutes out and still on-route. He made the quick decision to remove all his gear and police intervention options to rescue the woman himself,” said O’Donaghey..“Without hesitation, and with approval from his superior at the scene, Const. Henneberry entered into the water and was able to reach the woman who was clearly loosing strength. While swimming against the fast-moving currents, Const. Henneberry says that at one point he himself felt very fatigued. The constable guided the woman to the far side of the river, where the two found a spot to sit on the water’s edge and regain their strength.”.A search and rescue helicopter arrived on scene about 15 minutes later, and airlifted Henneberry and the paddle boarder out of the thick brush. The victim who had no visible injuries, but displayed clear signs of being in shock, was treated by emergency medical officials..Henneberry, who previously coached for the local Columbia Valley Otters swim club, has been swimming since the young age of just 10-years-old and spent nine years of his life competing.. Cst. Andrew HenneberryConst. Andrew Henneberry .“When asked about yesterday’s rescue Andrew said ‘I was just focused on the victim, and of course the difficult task at hand.‘ He added, …” as police officers we are taught about survival mentality and its importance in high-stress situations. She had it!” said O’Donaghey..“He added his main concerns were the unknown depth of the river, and the increased amount of debris floating downstream due to the higher than normal runoff. Const. Henneberry estimates the depth was at least 20-feet deep and would not allow him to touch the bottom if needed. Although the officer has swum most of his life, and taught others how to swim, Andrew’s concern was not being familiar with that particular area and any undertows it may have..In a post rescue debrief, Const. Henneberry shared that he was very humbled by the experience. Reflecting back on the situation now that reality has set in, he recognizes that this could have easily ended in tragedy for them both. He credited the woman for doing all the right things, which ultimately led to her rescue. (Henneberry) urges all those planning on going out to experience all the beauty that BC has to offer, to be fully prepared.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
A 36-year-old BC paddleboarder is alive today thanks to the heroic actions of an Invermere Mountie..Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said the drama began on June 29, 2021 just after 5 p.m., when Columbia Valley RCMP received a request to check the wellbeing of a woman, believed to be in distress and paddle boarding the Columbia River..“The caller received a phone call from a friend who sounded extremely distressed. She was able to determine her friend was likely paddle boarding on the Columbia River, having launched from James Chabot Park,” said O’Donaghey in a release..“Combined with additional information from a second 911 caller of a paddle boarder yelling for help, RCMP activated Columbia Valley Search and Rescue and called upon the local fire department to assist with a water rescue. Using information from more 911 callers, front line officer zeroed in on the woman’s location in the river near Capilo Way.”.O’Donaghey police spotted a 36-year-old Invermere woman bracing herself against a sandbar, in the middle of the 25-metre wide section of the river, in the midst of the strongest part of the current..“Those officers quickly recognized the victim, who had her head, neck and shoulders above water when they arrived, was experiencing fatigue and began to slip below the surface,” he said..The paddle boarder continued to plead for help and showed signs of losing her footing, as she battled against the unusually fast-moving waters of the Columbia, which according to local authorities was very cold, due to runoff and filled with dangerous debris..Const. Andrew Henneberry, who has been stationed at the Columbia Valley Detachment since joining the Royal Canadian Mountain Police back in 2017, recognized rescuers needed to act fast..“As an experienced competitive swimmer and swimming coach, armed with the knowledge that SAR personnel were at least 15 minutes out and still on-route. He made the quick decision to remove all his gear and police intervention options to rescue the woman himself,” said O’Donaghey..“Without hesitation, and with approval from his superior at the scene, Const. Henneberry entered into the water and was able to reach the woman who was clearly loosing strength. While swimming against the fast-moving currents, Const. Henneberry says that at one point he himself felt very fatigued. The constable guided the woman to the far side of the river, where the two found a spot to sit on the water’s edge and regain their strength.”.A search and rescue helicopter arrived on scene about 15 minutes later, and airlifted Henneberry and the paddle boarder out of the thick brush. The victim who had no visible injuries, but displayed clear signs of being in shock, was treated by emergency medical officials..Henneberry, who previously coached for the local Columbia Valley Otters swim club, has been swimming since the young age of just 10-years-old and spent nine years of his life competing.. Cst. Andrew HenneberryConst. Andrew Henneberry .“When asked about yesterday’s rescue Andrew said ‘I was just focused on the victim, and of course the difficult task at hand.‘ He added, …” as police officers we are taught about survival mentality and its importance in high-stress situations. She had it!” said O’Donaghey..“He added his main concerns were the unknown depth of the river, and the increased amount of debris floating downstream due to the higher than normal runoff. Const. Henneberry estimates the depth was at least 20-feet deep and would not allow him to touch the bottom if needed. Although the officer has swum most of his life, and taught others how to swim, Andrew’s concern was not being familiar with that particular area and any undertows it may have..In a post rescue debrief, Const. Henneberry shared that he was very humbled by the experience. Reflecting back on the situation now that reality has set in, he recognizes that this could have easily ended in tragedy for them both. He credited the woman for doing all the right things, which ultimately led to her rescue. (Henneberry) urges all those planning on going out to experience all the beauty that BC has to offer, to be fully prepared.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
