Image Credit: BC RCMP

By Ashley Legassic

ROBERT DALY

Off-duty RCMP officer dives into action in futile effort to save Vernon man’s life

Jan 31, 2020 | 10:51 AM

VERNON, B.C. — A 37-year-old Vernon man has died after a crash off of Highway 97 last week.

That’s despite the best efforts of emergency crews and an off-duty police officer.

In a news release, B.C. RCMP says Staff Sgt. Maj. Robert Daly was off duty on Jan. 24 around 10:40 p.m. when he was travelling through the Vernon area with his daughter.

Daly witnessed a vehicle suddenly leave the highway and disappear from sight. He was travelling in the opposite direction at the time, and pulled over. He crossed all lanes of traffic on foot to reach the crash site.

His daughter immediately called 911 for help.

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The sedan was found overturned and mostly submerged in the waters of the creek that runs along the west side of Highway 97 north of 48th Avenue.

Without hesitation, Daly jumped into the cold waters and began trying to access the driver in the pitch dark, and assess whether or not there were any additional passengers trapped inside.

The conditions of the creek made it challenging for Daly to open the driver’s side door, but he did end up opening it. He tried several times to release the driver who was seat belted in.

“The first emergency responders to reach the scene tossed… Daly a pair of scissors, which allowed him to extricate the driver from his vehicle and bring his head above the water’s surface,” the release states.

Vernon Fire crews worked with Daly to pull the unresponsive man from the water and they began trying to save his life. He was rushed to hospital in serious condition.

“It was with profound sadness that the RCMP learned that the driver has since succumbed to his injuries in hospital,” says Southeast District spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey in the release. “We, the RCMP, wish to extend our deepest condolences to the man’s loved ones.”

Southeast District Chief Superintendent Brad Haugli says the emotional impacts are still fresh for Daly and his daughter, and RCMP are continuing to provide them ongoing support.

He adds their efforts were “truly heroic”.