Kayaker saves man in Mission Creek

KELOWNA – A kayaker who happened upon a fisherman struggling to deal with the fast water at the mouth of Mission Creek played an important role in the fisherman's rescue, Kelowna Fire Department says.

Around 5:15 p.m. yesterday, May 16, rescuers were alerted to a report of a person drowning. The man was fishing when he was swept away by a strong current until a kayaker helped him get to a sand bar, Platoon Capt. Scott Cronquist says in a release.

"One firefighter was ferried out to the island by the kayaker, and put a life jacket on the victim," he says. "The victim was cold but uninjured. The kayak was used to transfer the victim to the marine rescue boat. The marine rescue boat then took the patient to a dock and awaiting (ambulance)."

Mission Creek, like many other area creeks, is moving fast at this time of year. Cronquist says they are extremely dangerous and people should stay away from the creeks, including the banks. 

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