Kelowna officers trying to rescue woman had to be rescued themselves

KELOWNA — Police officers called in to rescue an intoxicated 19-year-old woman from Okanagan Lake near City Park, had to be rescued themselves.

According to Cpl. Joe Duncan, Kelowna RCMP got a report of a drunk woman who had gone running into the lake around 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Two Mounties tried to rescue her, but Duncan says the woman started to fight them off as they tried to bring her back to shore.

“The intoxicated female became combative with the police officers,” says Duncan. “The Kelowna RCMP members who were exhausted clung to a swimming buoy and were picked up by the Kelowna Fire Department.”

Duncan says the officers were taken to Kelowna General Hospital for treatment and released.

“The 19-year-old female returned to shore and was subsequently taken into custody,” says Duncan.

He says the woman could be facing criminal charges.