By Pete McIntyre

Off-duty officer jumps into creek to rescue driver

Jan 31, 2020 | 10:23 AM

A dramatic and dangerous rescue by an off-duty RCMP officer is being called heroic by the force, despite a tragic ending to the story.

Staff Sgt. Major Robb Daly was driving through Vernon with his daughter when he saw a vehicle leave the highway last Friday around 10:40 p.m.

“The off-duty warrant officer, who had been travelling in the opposite direction when the collision unfolded, pulled his vehicle safely to the side of the road and crossed all lanes of the divided highway on foot in order to reach the crash site. His daughter immediately called 911 for help,” stated a RCMP news release.

The car was overturned and mostly submerged in the 20-foot-wide creek that runs along the west side of Highway 97 north of 48th Avenue.

Daly jumped into the frigid water in the dark and tried to access the driver and determine if there were any passengers.

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“The slight current of the creek and the sediment made it challenging for SSM Daly to open the driver’s side door. Once opened numerous attempts were made to release the driver, who had been seat belted in. The first emergency responders to reach the scene tossed SSM Daly a pair of scissors, which allowed him to extricate the driver from his vehicle and bring his head above the water’s surface,” said Jesse O’Donaghey of the RCMP Southeast District.

Daly was helped by Vernon Fire Rescue members to pull the unresponsive 37-year-old Vernon man from the water, where they began life saving measures, and he was taken to hospital by paramedics.

No other passengers were found inside the vehicle.

RCMP say it’s with profound sadness they later found out the driver succumbed to his injuries, and they are extending their deepest condolences to the man’s family.

Mounties are also praising Daly for his action.

“Staff Sergeant Major Daly is an invaluable member of the Southeast District senior executive team,” said Brad Haugli, district commander and chief superintendent of the RCMP Southeast District. “The emotional impacts from that day are still fresh for both Robb and his daughter who tried to save a life. We will continue to provide them ongoing support. Their combined efforts were truly heroic.”

While Daly now works for the RCMP’s Southeast District, he formerly worked at the Vernon RCMP detachment.

by Pete McIntyre

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