On Monday, March 24, 2014 Midway RCMP received a report of a vehicle that had run off the road into the Kettle River approximately 2 km east of Rock Creek.
Police, ambulance and West Boundary Highway Rescue units attended and found a full-size pick up truck in the river. One male occupant was on the roof and another female occupant was inside the cab of the truck.
According to a police statement the truck was approximately 10 metres from shore in cold, moving water that was approximately four to five feet deep.
Boundary Rescue utilized a rope and harness and sent one person to the truck. They were able to get both people safely to shore and up the steep embankment to a waiting ambulance.
The two occupants were transported to the Grand Forks hospital by Emergency Health Services to get checked over. The male driver was issued a violation ticket for Driving Without Due Care and Attention under the Motor Vehicle Act.
“The RCMP would like to thank Granton Motors and EHS for the use of their personal flotation devices and life jackets during this rescue,” Corporal Kevin Christensen said in an email to the Times. “The RCMP would also like to commend the Boundary Rescue unit and especially John Coburn for the great job they did.”
According to Coburn all air bags – front and side – were deployed. “Air bags and seatbelts save lives,” he said.