A wonderful update to a story we told you about on June 24, regarding a teen who had been injured while jumping off the Vanderwater bridge in Tweed.
Just before 1 p.m. members of Central Hastings OPP were called to assist the ambulance on Vanderwater Road near Esker Road.
Central Hastings OPP confirm, three teenage boys had been jumping off the bridge into the Moira River when one of the boys struck the water in an awkward way causing a serious leg injury.
His friend, 17-year-old Riley Gunter of Tweed quickly came to his aid and rescued him from the water. Emergency crews were called to assist the teen and transported him to hospital.
Members of Central Hastings OPP have submitted a Request for Recognition nominating Gunter for the St. John Ambulance Lifesaving Award. His actions of entering the water and aiding his friend may have prevented a tragedy.
Meanwhile, Central Hastings OPP says it strongly discourages those considering jumping from bridges into the waters below. The murky waters can hide rocks, tree stumps and vegetation beneath the surface of the water. Jumpers run the risk of getting tangled or entrapped under water, and after jumping they can often misjudge how far they’ll have to swim to reach the shore. Some bridges that are high up above the water can make the drop to water equivalent to hitting concrete.
