The RCMP Police Vessel ‘Murray’ ship’s engineer has been credited with saving the life of a Harbour Breton youth.
The vessel was moored overnight in the community Aug. 7 when Leonard Pink of Lewin’s Cove heard a cry for help.
He rushed down to the Galley advising the rest of the crew a young boy had just gone overboard from the wharf and into the water. The 12-year-old was lodged in the water between the wharf and a 35-foot fishing vessel and could have been crushed or drowned.
He was thrashing about in the water screaming “Save me!”
Mr. Pink, a civilian member aboard the Murray, then ran forward to grab a boat hook. He gave the child the hook to grab onto and guided him over to the swim grid of the police vessel, about 20 feet away.
Two other crewmembers removed the young fellow from the water and onto the vessel.
The youth advised he was diabetic and he had an insulin pump attached to his belt, which he wasn't supposed to get it wet.
RCMP members applied the correct medical precautions for the pump.
The young fellow was able to catch his breath. Obviously upset over the incident, he said he was just playing around the wharf and fell in.
The members attended to some minor medicals issues and determined the young boy was none the worse for the ordeal.
Local residents observed the members saving the youth from the water, and praised the quick thinking and action.
Mr. Pink is well known on the Burin Peninsula as one half of the musical duo ‘Soundbone’ with Ed Corcoran.
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