Heroic rescue near Walpole Island

An 18-year-old Port Lambton man is lucky to be alive after losing control of his boat on Sunday and plunging into the Syne River.

The incident took place around 5:30 p.m.

Sources told the Sydenham Current that the man was going to help his friend pick up his boat, which was a 16-foot aluminum with a 25 or a 40 horse power motor.

While the man was driving the boat in the Syne, near Walpole Island, he stood up at one point to switch his grip on the motor, as his hands were getting tired.

Being autumn and with the temperatures being cooler, the man was wearing a hoodie and baggy clothing… as he stood up, he bumped the tiller of the boat, which basically turned it on a dime and threw him directly into the water.

Walpole Island resident Darren Wrightman was near the river at the time and watched the incident unfold.

When Wrightman noticed the boater beginning to struggle while swimming to shore, he dove in himself.

Wrightman reached the man and helped him stay afloat until another boater stopped by and helped both men to safety.

A family member of the 18-year-old Port Lambton man said they believe Wrightman saved his life.

“Once he slips under the water… it’s done,” the family member said. “You don’t have the energy to make your way up and with the sky being as murky as it is, you’re probably not going to find him. He saved his life and held him up long enough, risking his own life. It takes a lot of guts to go in after somebody in the water.”

Wrightman told the Sydenham Current the situation could have been much worse.

“I thank God for everything and everyone that allowed this accident to not end tragically,” he said. “If the wind was any stronger, I’m not so confident. I don’t know the person but I’m happy for him and his family.”

Wrightman added: “Not saying what factor speed played in this incident, but I would ask boaters in general to slow down on this river for everyone’s safety.”

Guy Williams, a firefighter with the Walpole Island Fire Department, said he did not see the incident take place, but noticed a commotion while driving over the Walpole Island bridge.

“I spotted a boat going around and around, drove to the house closest to the accident along the shoreline and a pontoon boat was already pulling up the boater out of the water,” Williams said.

After seeing what was taking place, Williams said he contacted emergency officials.

“When I got there a person I knew to be a nurse, was with the man,” Williams said. “C-K Police showed up shortly after me, carried the young man in the house, removed his wet clothes and kept him wrapped in blankets and continued to talk to him until EMS got there. C-K Fire attended the scene as well.”

Williams added that Wrightman truly deserves credit for saving the man’s life.

The 18-year-old Port Lambton man was not injured as a result of the incident, family members said.

For information on safe boating practices, check out the Safe Boating Guide issued by Transports Canada.