Hero Saves Kayaker From Drowning

A Peachland man is being hailed as a hero after he dove into the frigid waters of Okanagan Lake yesterday afternoon and swam out to a kayaker whose vessel had overturned.

Police say the kayaker was about 30 feet from the shoreline when the incident occurred off the 4000 block of Beach Avenue in Peachland.

RCMP Corporal Jesse O’Donaghey says the unnamed hero heard a weak call for help, jumped into the water and successfully pulled the kayaker to shore, saving his life.

“A Peachland resident was in the area at the time, unaware of the incident on the water when he heard a faint call for help,” states O’Donaghey. “The man who is being considered a hero, spotted the kayaker struggling to stay above the water’s surface and plunged into the frigid waters of the lake to help.”