Two civilian residents of British Columbia have received Commanding Officer Commendations for their actions in rescuing two British tourists from their car after it crashed into a creek.
In June 2022, Mark and Janet Brimicombe were driving along Highway 99 in the Hat Creek area when their vehicle left the road, crashed through a fence, plunged down a steep embankment, and landed in Hat Creek.
The car quickly began to fill with water, and the two were both injured.
Fortunately, two other motorists who witnessed the accident were able to come to the rescue.
Fortunately, two other motorists who witnessed the accident were able to come to the rescue.
“Nicholas Froese of Kelowna, B.C., and Ken MacKenzie of Lac La Hache, B.C., traversed their way down the embankment, were able to open the sunroof of the vehicle (which was still filling with water from the creek), and helped the Brimicombes escape their car,” the BC RCMP said.
“Mr. Froese and Mr. MacKenzie supported the tourists up the steep embankment and provided first aid care while they called 911.”
Mark and Janet were taken to hospital in Kamloops and were treated for injures that police say could have been far worse, had the rescuers not been able to intervene when they did.
“Mr. Froese and Mr. MacKenzie acted quickly and decisively in a dangerous situation,” said Const. Richard Wright of the Ashcroft RCMP.
“Their actions and aftercare for the Brimicombes were exceptional.”
The Brimicombes say the award is “richly deserved.”
“The road accident was a most distressing and disorientating event. We had rolled down into the river 170 feet below, and ended up out of sight of the road,” the pair said from their home in the UK.
“Our rescuers were brave, calm, and quick-thinking. Once they realized we were still alive, they came down and helped us to get out of the car, cross the river and up the very steep embankment. We still think of them and can’t bear to think of what would have happened had they not been there. Not a day goes by that we do not thank God for being alive.”
Frose and MacKenzie received the commendations for their “bravery and selfless actions” in the rescue.