Penticton firefighter and local mother honoured at lifesaving awards

A firefighter and a mother with the proper skill sets were at the right place at the right time last summer when they rescued a young boy in danger of drowning at Manitou Park in Naramata.

The two were among 15 other B.C. residents honoured by the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and the Yukon on Saturday, May 15.

Last June, Meghan Thompson and her two daughters were at Manitou Park beach when they suddenly noticed a small body floating in the water, face down.

The oldest girl ran to shore yelling for her mom. Meghan responded by running into the waist-deep water and retrieving the 18-month-old boy, whose face had gone white, lips a deep purple.

She brought the child back to shore while shouting for help.

Local firefighter Chad Taylor was also on the beach that day. He came running to assist, checking for pulse and initiating CPR when he found none.

A bystander called 911 while Meghan located the child’s mother.

Chad was able to revive the boy, who regained consciousness and began to return to a normal colour. The group remained with the youngster until emergency services arrived. They rushed the child to hospital, where he fully recovered.

Meghan later said she hoped the incident would serve as a reminder to parents to be vigilant with their kids, educate them about water safety and possibly take some first aid training, something she did herself following the incident.

“You don’t ever think that kid could be your kid,” she said in a press release issued by the lifesaving society.

The Lifesaving Society presented silver medals for bravery to both Chad Taylor and Meghan Thompson at a Bravery Awards ceremony May 15.

In a social media statement posted this weekend, Penticton fire Chief Larry Watkinson passed on a reminder for parents to ensure young ones wear a life jacket when they are playing in or near water.

“As firefighters, we are never off duty and it showed. Early and effective CPR were key to saving this life. If you haven’t had a chance to take a CPR course, look for one in your city and sign up. It may save a life someday. We are extremely proud of Chad and Meghan for their efforts,” Watkinson said.

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