Heroic Canadians in Mexico

Photo: Google Maps

A family from Carrot River, Sask., and an Edmonton firefighter are being called heroes after saving a father and son from drowning in Mexico.

Liz Haley-Armstrong, her son Bob Haley and firefighter Drew Pearson were relaxing on a beach in Puerto Vallarta when they noticed a young boy struggling in a rip tide just off the beach.

Despite having only met each other 10 minutes before, the trio leaped into action.

Pearson dove into the water and swam for the child, and was bringing him back toward shore when he noticed the boy's father, who had swum out trying to get to the boy, was now also in distress.

Haley-Armstrong went into the water and took the boy from Pearson, freeing him to rescue the husband.

Pearson says he was exhausted and near the point of collapse, and might not have made it back to shore himself without the help of Bob Haley, who dragged him and the father both to shore.

Pearson, who is also a military reservist, says he was only doing what he was trained to do and gives all the credit to the mother and son.

"It was amazing to see how quickly they helped up and there was no hesitation or questioning," he says.

Without their help, Pearson says the happy ending could have easily been a tragedy.

"It's amazing that there (were) three Canadians on a beach in Mexico, in a sea of 100 locals, that were able to do something like this," Pearson says. "It's kind of a testament to Canadians and how quickly we can work together no matter what the circumstance."