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If the crime you are reporting is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
If the crime you are reporting is not an emergency, you can call the non-emergency line at 604-525-5411 or attend our Front Counter at 555 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC.
New Westminster – On April 25, 2015 at approximately 4:30pm, the NWPD received multiple 911 calls reporting a male screaming for help and clinging to the side of a capsized canoe on the Fraser River.
Constable Stu Hagen, a member of NWPD’s Marine Unit and Constable Nick Dion immediately launched SHAW 1, the NWPD boat, and responded to the area around the Queensborough Bridge. Witnesses did their best to maintain a visual on the capsized boat as it was being swept down river by the powerful current. Constables Hagen and Dion were on scene within minutes and managed to locate the capsized canoe with the male still clinging to the side. The members pulled the male to safety on SHAW 1 while also managing to pull the capsized canoe out of the river and onto the deck of SHAW 1. The male, a 54 year old resident of New Westminster, was cold and shaken by the experience but escaped the ordeal without any injuries after being in the water for approximately five minutes.
“Constables Hagen and Dion responded quickly and with the help of witnesses were able to locate this male and put their training to use to rescue him from the rushing river,” said Chief Constable Dave Jones. “The quick deployment of SHAW 1 and the actions of Constables Hagen and Dion very likely saved this individuals life. Policing the City of New Westminster does not stop at the shoreline. The NWPD Marine Unit allows us to continue our high level of service delivery to those who utilize the waterways bordering New Westminster.”
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