In the heart of London, Ontario, an act of bravery unfolded recites a tale of two good Samaritans who proved to be at the right place at the right time. Celebrated by both the grateful family they helped and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), a couple’s ability to act quickly became an unexpected lifeline.
One early August day, Colin Everingham alongside his partner Carolyn took a leisurely break near a dock at Fanshawe Conservation Area. As they seated themselves for a picnic, they noticed a large family buzzing in enthusiasm as they embarked on a canoe adventure across the lake. Colin bore witness to their excitement, but also observed some members grappling to control the direction of their watercrafts.
A short while later, to his alarm, he spotted an ominous sight on the water. All that was visible from afar were human heads bobbing up and down in the waves. “Sure enough, they were in trouble,” he pointed out.
A grim scene revealed itself – four people were in the water, their canoe tipped, with one of them a mere 11-year-old girl, struggling approximately 80-100 feet away from the shore. Alerting Carolyn, he noticed, with some relief, that life jackets were worn by those in distress.
On hearing their cries for help, two protective instincts were triggered simultaneously. Carolyn picked up her paddleboard, immediately heading towards the struggling family. Meanwhile, Colin and another family member commandeered a spare canoe and followed her.
Facing a gruelling challenge, they managed to hoist the young girl onto the paddleboard and, through a wave of enormous struggle, flipped the capsized canoe upright. It was only then they encountered an unnerving fact – the rescued family, all the way from India, had ventured into open water for the first time.
“Their first time in the water unfolded quite dramatically,” Colin later told the press.
After their rigorous rescue mission ended successfully, a huddle of thankful family members awaited them ashore. As Colin and Carolyn approached the dock, a rush of applause, cheers and grateful sentiments from the saved family washed over them. Colin recalled, “One grandfather came forward, gave me a tight hug and expressed his immense gratitude – an experience I will cherish.”
Alison Miller, the Superintendent of Fanshawe Conservation Area, chimed in to appreciate the good Samaritans while also using the incident to highlight the importance of water safety measures. She stated, “We ensure anyone renting our aquatic gear is provided with a safety toolkit. But we stress the use of life jackets for all. This incident remains a stark reminder of their importance.”
Colin admitted that the praise bestowed upon them by the rescued family had been somewhat overwhelming. “Yet, knowing we were able to help feels good,” he confided. A heartfelt message from Naman Pathak, one of the rescued family members, stated, “Colin and Carolyn displayed heroic traits that day. Their tranquillity and kindness in steering us back to safety were truly commendable.”
The family were taken aback by the current’s strength, Pathak noted, reflecting on the dramatic canoeing experience that almost turned disastrous.
