Who police describe as “one tough kid” was rescued from the waters underneath the Johnson Street bridge on Wednesday evening, after he was submerged underwater for several hours.
At around 4:20 p.m., VicPD officers were called to a report of a person in distress in the water on the south side of the Johnson Street bridge.
Upon arrival, multiple officers began to search for the individual, with efforts even including an officer entering the water and searching underneath nearby docks himself.
After searching for a significant period of time, the officer was treated on scene by paramedics for exposure to the cold, and the search continued.
Along with VicPD, the Victoria Fire Department, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Coast Guard also attended to assist with the search.
At around 7:15 p.m., one surprised officer on scene spotted a person emerge from the waters beside the docks where police dive teams were searching.
After police asked the man what he was doing in the waters, he simply replied, “I’m swimming.”
Video shows officers pulling the man from the water in a shocking recovery, though at that time they were unsure as to if the man was the original individual they were searching for.
This individual was just pulled from the water. He came up from the water from under the wharf. @vicpdcanada are trying to determine who this individual is and if he’s connected to the person they’re searching for. Search continues. #victoriabuzz pic.twitter.com/6dOMUprXiE
— Victoria Buzz (@victoriabuzzes) October 15, 2020
After confirming that it was indeed the man who was being sought, paramedics arrived on scene and immediately undressed the individual and wrapped him in a thermal blanket.
He was then transported to ambulance, with what police describe as non-life threatening injuries.
As the scene was being cleared, one officer told Victoria Buzz that the man had clung to the underside of the wharf for what is believed to be several hours.
UPDATE | AMAZING NEWS! Officers have pulled the man from the Inner Harbour. He's alive, with what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries from exposure to the cold. He's being transported to hospital by @BC_EHS paramedics. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) October 15, 2020
