By Dave Branco

Dog rescue

City Councillor’s heroic rescue: Dog saved from river ice mishap

Mar 19, 2024 | 3:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The recent warm temperatures have prompted many people to take walks outdoors, with some choosing to stroll along riverbanks. Unfortunately, one city councillor almost lost his dog when it fell through the river ice. Fortunately, the councillor’s quick thinking and luck saved the dog.

City Councilor Brian Skakun posted a video on TikTok of a daring rescue of his dog. The dog had fallen through the ice in the Fraser River. Skakun used a couple of logs to support himself and pulled the dog out.

Despite the unseasonal temperature changes, Ice Rescue expert Lauren Phillips is glad the rescue went well.

Skakun’s dog, Kato, fell through the ice and struggled to climb back onto it for about 10 minutes. Phillips warns that a person’s chances of surviving in cold, moving water are very low.

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“ Moving water packs a punch. So even if the water levels are low and it doesn’t look like it’s moving very fast, it has a lot of power behind it. […] When you put ice on top of moving water, it’s almost certainly death.”

Lauren Phillips

Ice Water Rescue Expert, Prince George Search and Rescue

Phillips recommends people stick to walking on gravel beds and avoid the river ice as the fluctuating temperatures have compromised the strength of the ice. We reached out to Skakun, but he wasn’t available for an interview.

Email: Dave.Branco@pattisonmedia.com

TikTok: @DaveBrancoVJ