Quick response by NPD Reserve saves kayker from frigid waters of Kootenay Lake
By Nelson Daily Staff
The weather maybe record-setting outside, but people recreating on Kootenay Lake should be aware the water temperature is glacier-like cold.
Nelson Police said a middle-aged man realized just how cold Kootenay Lake temperature is after his kayak capsized Sunday afternoon near the Big Orange Bridge in Nelson.
“A 48 year-old male is lucky to be alive after police,” said Sergeant Dino Falcone in NPD media release.
“BC Ambulance Service and Nelson Fire responded to a male that had capsized his kayak into the icy waters near the Orange Bridge at approximately 12:30 p.m. Sunday (April 3).
Falcone was quick to praise the work of a NPD Reserve member, whose quick action may have save the man’s life.
“The Nelson Police Reserve was fortunately available as he was already on a detailed assignment at the Nelson Gun show as members were tied up on a priority call,” Falcone explained.
“The Nelson Reservist immediately took the police boat out to the scene near the Orange bridge (and) upon arrival, the male was observed clinging on to his partners kayak and was pulled into the police boat by the quick acting Nelson Police Reserve member.”
Falcone said the man was not wearing a life jacket but did have one in the kayak.
He was transported to the shoreline and was attended to by paramedics and Nelson Firefighters.
Falcone said police would like to remind the public that approximately 90 percent of people who drown in recreational boating incidents are not wearing a life jacket.
“Even if you have one on board, conditions like rough winds and waves, and cold water can make it really hard, if not impossible, to find it and put it on,” Falcone said.
“People who fall into the cold water drown more often from their body’s initial reaction to the change in temperature (cold shock and swimming failure) than from low body temperature (hypothermia),” he added.
Early morning fight Sunday
Nelson Police said a man from the East Kootenay was release on a Promise to Appear following a fight in a local hotel early Sunday morning (April 3).
NPD said dispatch received a report at 2 a.m. from local hotel staff reporting two males fighting in one of the rooms.
Police immediately attended and after speaking to several witnesses, a 28-year-old intoxicated male was arrested for two counts of assault, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.
The man was released later Sunday morning with strict conditions and is scheduled to attend Nelson Provincial Court on June 7.
Intoxicated woman spents time in jail
NPD said a woman spent a little time in the jail after being arrested in the downtown core of Nelson Sunday (April 3) afternoon.
NPD dispatch received a call shortly before noon of an intoxicated female in the downtown core.
The 41 year-old female, who is well known to police, had been disturbing her neighbours in a local apartment building from late evening into this morning. Police had been called several times from understandably upset tenants throughout the morning.
The local female was lodged in cells and released later without incident when she was sober.
Man arrested for assault, uttering threats
Nelson Police said a man was arrested for assault, utter threats and intoxicated in a public place Saturday (April 2) afternoon.
NPD Sergeant Falcone said witnesses out for a walk called police regarding a man lying on the ground that appeared to be intoxicated near the railway tracks.
“The couple immediately called police,” said Falcone.
“Nelson Police, the BC Ambulance service and Nelson Fire attended the scene within minutes. While being treated in the ambulance, the accused assaulted one of the paramedics. The paramedic sustained a minor injury.”
Falcone said the 48 year-old man, who is well known to police, was transported to the Kootenay Lake Hospital and released shortly afterwards to the Nelson Police.
He was lodged in cells and later released on a Promise to Appear and an Undertaking with strict conditions. He is scheduled to attend Nelson Provincial Court on June 7.
