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Paramedic and Polic Officers Dive into Icy River to Rescue Woman

Thunder Bay - At 2:30 pm on Sunday, Superior North EMS paramedic Jeff Monas and two police officers dove into the icy-cold water of the McIntyre River to rescue a 35 yr old female that had been seen floating face down by passers-by. The witnesses had seen the lady struggling and heard her calling for help, and then watched her succumb to the icy-cold water. One of the citizens attempted a rescue, but the water was too cold for him to proceed.

Upon arrival, Monas and the two officers elected to rescue the woman, as they knew that it would be minutes before Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue personnel arrived at the scene. When the woman was brought back to shore she was clinically dead. After advanced life-saving procedures were initiated by Monas and the other paramedics, they were able to resuscitate the woman so that upon arrival at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Emergency Department, her heart was beating.

"The quick action by paramedic Jeff Monas and the two police officers in returning the woman to shore so that advanced life support procedures could be initiated was instrumental in the resuscitation efforts" said Norm Gale, public information officer for Superior North EMS. "Of course, time is critical in these situations, and this selfless act allowed for the timely initiation of life-saving procedures", added Gale.

Superior North EMS supervisor Mark Gosse arrived at the scene just after Monas and the police officers entered the water. "The effect on Monas and the police officers was apparent as they came out of the water. It was obvious that they were suffering from the early stages of immersion hypothermia, as they were violently shivering and unable to talk. Fortunately, we were able to quickly warm Monas, the police officers and the bystander at the scene. Monas then proceeded with resuscitative efforts in conjunction with other paramedics. I am surprised that Monas was able to carry on with the resuscitation" said Gosse.

"This is an extremely unusual event for a paramedic", said Gale. "Normally, rescue attempts are made by specially trained personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service. But, in this circumstance, critical thinking, quick action, and selfless behaviour by Monas and the police officers have given this woman greatly increased chances for survival."