NORTH BATTLEFORD — Dana Ahenakew Andres from Sweetgrass First Nation received the Royal Canadian Humane Association (RCHA) silver medal for bravery after attempting to rescue a driver trapped in a submerged vehicle along Highway 16. Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie presented the medal in council chambers at the town office On Nov. 12.
Tim Popp, provincial director of the RCHA since 2003, explained that the Royal Canadian Humane Society was created in London, England, in 1774. As the organization expanded into Commonwealth countries, Canada formed its own branch. On Aug. 20, 1894, the Governor General, Earl of Aberdeen, was granted permission to use the name “royal,” and the Royal Canadian Humane Association was created. The mission of the RCHA is to recognize Canadians who save or attempt to save a life in civilian situations, especially when the actions fall outside their normal duties.
Ahenakew Andres described the Oct. 5 incident at around 5:30 p.m. She and her cousin, Cynthia Albert, were driving on Highway 16 on their way to shop at Costco when they saw an older woman waving for help. Ahenakew Andres, who had CPR training, pulled over. The woman told them a vehicle had gone into a slough.
Ahenakew Andres ran toward the slough as other vehicles also stopped to help. She yelled for someone to call 911. When she reached the water, she removed her shoes and outer clothing and swam toward the partly submerged vehicle. She tried the doors and saw a person slumped over the steering wheel. She also noticed several empty energy drink bottles floating inside as water continued to rise. She banged on the windows to try to get the person to respond.
Another passerby, Mark Dmyterko, arrived and swam to the vehicle. He attempted to kick out the rear seat through the trunk, which had popped open and was sticking out of the water. Ahenakew Andres swam back to shore to get a tire iron from Albert. She brought it back to Dmyterko, who used it to break the back window. Water rushed into the vehicle, causing the rear end to sink quickly. Ahenakew Andres warned Dmyterko to move away so they would not be pulled under. The vehicle then fully submerged, and they could not continue the rescue.
Popp said his information indicated the slough was 20 to 30 feet deep. RCMP required a dive team to attach equipment to the submerged vehicle so it could be pulled out. Ahenakew Andres said the mud and sand along the bank made it difficult to climb out.
Police and EMS arrived and conducted an investigation. Popp said his information suggested the driver had experienced a medical issue.
For their attempt to save a life in a water rescue, both Ahenakew Andres and Dmyterko received the RCHA silver medal for bravery. Their names and the incident are engraved on the medals. Dmyterko received his medal on Oct. 17, in Regina at Government House from Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre. Ahenakew Andres received hers later due to family commitments.
Ahenakew Andres said she first thought children or animals might be in the vehicle and acted on that concern. When asked if she would do it again, she immediately said yes. “I would want someone to do that for me or if it was my dad or my children. There are a lot of special people in this world and we need to help in any way we can,” she said.
