Police rescue man and his dog from sinking houseboat in Gorge Waterway Friday morning

Officers from Victoria and Saanich police departments rescued a man and his dog from a sinking houseboat in the Gorge Waterway early Friday morning.

Police said they received reports at around 4:35 a.m. about a sinking boat near the west side of the Tillicum bridge.

Officers from both detachments responded and found a man and his dog clinging to the side of the capsized vessel.

Police tossed a line to the man, and as the current moved the boat closer to a nearby ladder, he swam to it as officers pulled him towards shore using the line.

A VicPD K9 officer entered the ladder area, shielding the man with his own body to assist in the man’s safe exit, while the boat was swept away.

The man was treated at the scene and then transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Saanich officers were also able to safely rescue the man’s dog.