Off-duty RCMP officer and son rescue two men after canoe overturns near Revelstoke

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Griffen Lake.

An off-duty Revelstoke RCMP officer and his son were in the right place at the right time to rescue two men whose canoe overturned.

About 11 a.m. on Monday, the off-duty member of the forensic identification section and his 11-year-old son were canoeing on Griffin Lake, west of Revelstoke.

"While hearing screams for help, they proceeded swiftly to a capsized canoe and found two adult males clinging to it without lifejackets," says Cpl. Thomas Blakney.

The officer and his son assisted the men to their own canoe, providing them with lifejackets as they hung on, while being taken to shore, where they were greeted by their families.

"I would like to express our gratitude to the officer and his son. They helped us remain calm and forever grateful," said one of the men.

"There is no doubt this would have been a different story if they had not have responded to their cries for help," said Blakney.

Revelstoke RCMP remind boaters to ensure they wear an approved lifejacket and to be cognizant of attire worn under the lifejacket, as wet clothing can hinder one’s ability to swim.