Trail cop runs into freezing river to save local woman after car crash

By Kyra Hoggan

The fire department's river rescue boat was deployed and a police officer got to swim in the river this afternoon after an accident at around 2:45 p.m.

Trail RCMP top cop Sgt. Darren Oelke said it all stemmed from a two-vehicle MVI between Birchbank and Genelle.

“There was a small van heading northbound and a larger van heading south,” Oelke explained. “The northbound vehicle crossed over (the centre line), essentially sideswiping the other vehicle, and sending both vans off the road.”

He said the driver of one of the vehicles ended up in the Columbia River.

“Constable Chris Elwood went in the water to help the woman,” Oelke said, offering high praise for Elwood's efforts today. Assistance was provided by the river rescue boat crew to remove the woman from the water and bring her to the Gyro Park boat launch, where she was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to hospital.

“The driver of the second vehicle was not physically injured.”

Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Dan Derby said 17 firefighters from Trail and Genelle responded to the call.

Even city crews lent a hand, plowing tons of snow to allow fire crews access to the boat launch.