Two Nearly Drown In Frigid Waters

Three officers from the Dryden Police Service can be considered heroes after they put their life on the line last night to save two intoxicated individuals from drowning.
Off-duty officer Denise Szachury was walking near the Victoria Street dock when she noticed a man who had just emerged from the river.
A second person was still in the river and was in distress and the man went back in an attempt to rescue the individual.
The two both wound up in the middle of the river and became distressed.
Constable Jon Allen and Constable Terry Menard arrived and all three officers dove into the frigid water to save the two.
Police Chief Rob Davis says 22-year-old Courtney Barkman and 18-year-old Darrell Bottle were rescued and transported to hospital with hypothermia.
“We’re still investigating at this point. It looks like the two may be on conditions from a prior offence in the city, but we’re still investigating to the full scope of their prior offences to see if we have any breach of conditions.”
Davis is thanking Dryden Fire and EMS for their help in the incident.
Acting Fire Chief Ken Kurz says it’s good to see emergency crews come together in a situation like this.
“It’s a joint effort when an incident like this happens. It’s the same with a major accident like a fire or car crash, we have to work hand and hand and with the resources in Northwestern Ontario, we have to work together in situations like that.”