Bravery Honoured by Thunder Bay Officer
THUNDER BAY – Constable Tom Armstrong was honoured for his act of bravery at a ceremony in Toronto this week. As first reported on NNL (follow link) Armstrong was honoured along with other Ontario Officers, including three Dryden Police Officers.
Constable Armstrong Saved Lives
Thunder Bay Police report, “On Tuesday, June 1, 2011, Constable Tom Armstrong and his partner responded to reports that two people had jumped into the Kam River. For many years, the industrial area where the couple jumped was used to anchor lakers and other seagoing vessels. The concrete abutment along the river was approximately five feet, and the water deep enough to accommodate very large commercial boats.
“When Constable Armstrong and his partner arrived at the scene, the man was holding onto a steel ladder leading to the water and calling for help.
“The man had managed to pull the woman upwards to keep her head above the surface of the water. Unknown to the officers at the time, he had also used his belt to help secure her to the ladder. What was clear was the man was exhausted and the woman semi-conscious.
“The two were incapable of looking after themselves. Without removing his equipment, Constable Armstrong jumped into the water and began swimming behind the woman and attempted to tread water and lift her up to keep her head above the surface and prevent her from slipping back into the water. Despite the time of year, the water was only 5 C. The onset of hypothermia is recorded in as little as five minutes in these temperatures. With the help of firefighters and police officers, both victims were pulled from the water to safety. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment”.
It was later learned that the man had a heart condition, and the woman was intoxicated and treated for alcohol poisoning. They would not have lasted much longer without the swift and selfless actions of Constable Armstrong.
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