RCMP NL recognizes one of our own, Constable Alex LeBlanc, of Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP for his valiant effort in apprehending a man from a body of water.
On the evening of May 25, 2020, Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP received a report that a man escaped the hospital in Grand Falls-Windsor, after being held for treatment under the Mental Health Act. Officers located the individual at the edge of the Exploits River. The man entered the water a number of times and was in need of assistance. The man managed to get back on the water's edge. Cst. LeBlanc removed his uniform equipment, entered the water and swam through a depth that was over his head trying to access the man. As the current was too strong, Cst. LeBlanc found another way to access the man on the water's edge by climbing around some large rocks.
A member of the public also rendered assistance to the individual at the water's edge and the man, who was not injured during the event, was taken into police custody. He was returned to the hospital in an ambulance.
RCMP NL thanks the man who assisted police with this rescue effort and thanks Cst. LeBlanc for his heroic actions that helped save this man's life.