DARING RESERVOIR RESCUE
Jogger pulls man from frigid waters
First responders are calling a keen-eyed jogger a hero after a daring early-morning rescue from the Glenmore Reservoir on Tuesday.
A little after 7 a.m., Margaret Bell was enjoying a sunny morning in North Glenmore Park when she spotted what appeared to be an empty boat near the western end of the reservoir.
Approaching the water for a better look, Bell quickly realized what she thought was a beaver floating near the boat was actually a person.
“(He) was floundering in the water. Going under and coming up. So, I just said, ‘Oh wow. I better go,’ ” Bell said.
As she swam out in the cold water toward him, she watched as he would disappear beneath the surface for moments at a time.
“I just prayed he was going to come up,” she said.
Bell tossed her fleece to him, instructing the man to hold on while she towed him to shore.
After dragging the semi-conscious man out of the water, Bell scrambled up a hill to a nearby path and flagged down a passing cyclist to call 911.
Leaving the cyclist to guide emergency crews, Bell returned to care for the man, keeping him warm until help arrived.
Suffering from exposure, the man, who is in his 20s, was taken to hospital by Calgary EMS.
Carol Henke of the Calgary Fire Department doesn’t mince words when asked if she considers Bell’s actions to be heroic.
“I personally would totally call her a hero,” Henke said. “Her actions most definitely had a positive outcome for this gentleman.”
Henke said Bell will be considered for the service’s annual Beyond the Call award program, recognizing those who go above and beyond.
“My concern was only for him. I didn’t think about myself, really. I just knew that I could do it,” Bell said.