WATCH ABOVE: A swimmer was pulled from Lake Chaparral by firefighters on Monday.
CALGARY – A man in his 30s is recovering in hospital after being pulled from Lake Chaparral on Monday evening.
The man was swimming with his family around 7 p.m. when he was spotted sinking under the water.
His wife alerted members of the Calgary Fire Department’s Aquatic Rescue Team who were at the lake performing training exercises.
Firefighters were able to quickly pull the man to safety.
“We couldn’t have got there quicker, couldn’t have gotten him out of the water quicker,” said Acting Battalion Chief Fred Rogi. “He got medical attention immediately, so hopefully that will make for a good outcome.”
Firefighters performed CPR on the victim, who was then rushed to the South Health Campus in life-threatening condition.
According to the Lifesaving Society of Alberta, there are about 20 drowning deaths in the province each year. Most occur between May and August in rivers or lakes, according to the group. The majority of the deaths involve men between the ages of 18 and 34, and the group says one third of drowning deaths in that age group may have been prevented if victims had been properly wearing a life jacket.
With files from Heather Yourex
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