Two civilians receive commendations following water rescue

In June of 2022, two British tourists, Mark and Janet Brimicombe were touring beautiful British Columbia after visiting family in the Vancouver area. Their journey took them along Highway 99 in the Hat Creek area, where their driving holiday turned quickly into a life or death situation.

Their vehicle left the highway, went through a fence, raced down a large, steep embankment, and came to rest in Hat Creek. The water was fast running and was filling up their vehicle. Both Mark and Janet had injuries and the situation was precarious.

That’s when two other motorists who had seen the Brimicombes' vehicle leave the road decided to act. Nicholas Froese of Kelowna, BC, and Ken MacKenzie of Lac La Hache, BC, traversed their way down the embankment, were able to open the sunroof of the vehicle (which was still filling with water from the creek), and helped the Brimicombes escape their car. Mr. Froese and Mr. MacKenzie supported the tourists up the steep embankment and provided first aid care while they called 911.

Following the incident, the Brimicombes received treatment at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops for their injuries, which could have been far worse should their rescuers not have been so quick to act.

Mr. Froese and Mr. MacKenzie acted quickly and decisively in a dangerous situation, said Constable Richard Wright, Ashcroft RCMP. Their actions and aftercare for the Brimicombes were exceptional.

This award is so richly deserved, said Mark and Janet Brimicombe, now at home in the UK. The road accident was a most distressing and disorientating event. We had rolled down into the river 170 ft below, and ended up out of sight of the road. Our rescuers were brave, calm, and quick-thinking. Once they realized we were still alive, they came down and helped us to get out of the car, cross the river and up the very steep embankment. We still think of them and can’t bear to think of what would have happened had they not been there. Not a day goes by that we do not thank God for being alive.

We are also extremely grateful to the police officers who attended the incident, the ambulance crew, and the hospital staff. Each of them was supportive and contributed much to our healing. British Columbia can be rightly proud of such brave citizens and the staff of their public services.

Mr. Froese and Mr. MacKenzie both received Commanding Officer Commendations for their bravery and selfless actions.