Kamloops RCMP officer hailed after pulling distressed woman from Thompson River

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops RCMP officer is being praised for helping to rescue a woman from the rushing Thompson River last week.

In a news release, detachment spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn says the incident took place at about 10:00 p.m. last Thursday (Oct. 20).

Frontline officers were called to the report of a woman experiencing a mental health crisis near the Airport Road dog park. Searching for the woman in the darkness, officers called out for her. Eventually, she called back from the water, where she was spotted about 100 feet from shore.

“As officers awaited a rescue boat, the woman went silent and could be seen floating down the river on her back, her face barely above the water,” said Evelyn. “An officer decided he could wait no more and bravely entered the river, pulled her out, then began administering emergency response until she regained consciousness.”

The woman was taken to hospital, where she received medical care.