Quick action saves woman’s life
River rescue was photographed by Mark McVittie.
NEWS — An elementary school vice-principal who took a break from supervising exams at his Schubert Drive home got more than just lunch. He saved a life.
Mark McVittie, Dallas elementary vice-principal, was eating lunch with his wife Tuesday. They watched out a large window as a woman with a walker went along a path by the river.
McVittie grew alarmed as he saw her turn onto a path that descends to the flood-swollen North Thompson River.
“It’s not a path you would go on with a walker,” he said.
“The path is really steep.”
He grabbed his shoes and started putting them on. Before he could tie them up, the woman disappeared.
He ran across the street to the water’s edge.
“She was 10 feet out, in the water, feet up. I called 911 right away,” he said.
“My first instinct is to jump in, but I know that’s not the safe thing to do. I followed her down, kept eye contact, calling 911 on the phone. We went two blocks down by the time 911 got there.”
The woman was silent as McVittie followed her from the shore and tried to talk to her.
“She wasn’t responding to anything. I was calling her, she didn’t respond at all,” he said.
Most of the time, the woman was floating on her back, but at one point she rolled over and with her face in the water. After about a minute, she rolled over onto her back again.
Firefighters arrived and pulled the woman from the water, then got her into an ambulance.
“She was responding to the firefighters when they pulled her out. but her lips were blue. Pretty crazy,” he said.
“I didn’t hear her say anything. They pulled her out on a backboard, put her on a stretcher and got her into ambulance.”
McVittie said several factors helped with saving the woman: the fact he saw her fall in, the fact the water isn’t as fast moving on the west side of the riverbank and the quick response by firefighters.
When he returned home, he saw that the woman’s walker, thermos, hat and eyeglasses case were all on the shore.
“She went in really quick.”
He was still shaken but had to head back to supervising students writing their provincial exams. McVittie was glad that at least he was leaving the scene knowing the woman was okay.
“I was scared I was going to see somebody die today.”
ArmchairMayor.ca 
I didn’t mention that the McVitties initially thought the person was a man because it seemed insulting. I thought the woman’s size was relevant because it would add to why it would be a challenge to get her out of the river. I agree the First Nations reference was not necessary; I got involved in putting in details and didn’t think much of it at the writing, but I understand the comments in using it. I’m glad it helped find the woman’s family and that Mark’s efforts ended well. It’s nice to be able to report stories with good endings.
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I am sorry, it turns out that our friend was incorrect and it didn’t help. My mistake.
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Wonder how it added to the story by describing her First Nations heritage and the fact that she was heavy set??
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Point taken. It’s usual in writing about situations involving police and emergency personnel to describe the person involved, including such things as physical appearance, ethnicity and age. In this case, the identity of the woman isn’t known so other ways of identifying the person for the reader were used by the reporter. However, the use of such descriptions is sensitive and I fully understand your point — unless attributes are directly relevant to the situation they should not normally be used. As a comparison, if she were Caucasian and 5 ft. tall I think it would be acceptable to say so in a case such as this but it’s open to question. If it was, say, a car accident, would it be relevant? Only if the identity of the person was being sought or if the age of the driver played a role in what happened. Thanks for the reminder of the need to be careful. Upon reflection, I’m going to remove the references you mention.
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It is worth noting that I had indicated that we all thought this person was a man to start with, and the reporter chose to leave that out. From the limited details reported someone who thought they knew the woman contacted us (because they knew us too) and asked for more details which were consistent with what they knew. I understand that led to family being contacted quickly. As a ‘heavy set’ person myself, I think I was careful with my words and I think the Ms. Young reported them well.
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