B.C. RCMP officer pulls elderly pair from vehicle that crashed into swimming pool

SURREY, B.C. – An RCMP officer in Surrey may add lifeguard to his credits after rescuing two people from a vehicle that had crashed into a swimming pool.

Police say preliminary reports into the crash on Wednesday indicate the driver of the vehicle lost control, slammed through a fence and landed in the in-ground pool.

The homeowners called 911 and RCMP Const. Ngawang Gonpo arrived minutes later.

Police say the officer managed to get the door open to the vehicle while it was submerged in the pool and remove the two elderly people.

The couple were taken to hospital as a precaution, but police say they had no obvious injuries.

Front-line commander Sgt. Brad Essex says Gonpo's actions speak volumes about the way officers put their lives on the line every day to ensure public safety.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2021.