Two teenagers ended up in the Welland River in Chippewa in the summer, and couldn't make it out
A vivid reminder from the City of Niagara Falls of the dangers of swimming in the Welland River in Chippewa.
Three people were honoured at city hall this week, after a life saving rescue of two teenaged boys earlier this summer.
Niagara Falls resident Jeff McMurray noticed the trouble, who threw out a life line after notifying Frederico Schifaudo, who was visiting from Italy.
Being a strong swimmer, he helped the boys to shore. "I was thrown the life line, I took it and instructed them, and when I saw them, I just thought 'Get it done'. It was terrifying moments, it was two of them... I did what I had to do... intense moments."
Once they were to shore, Elizabeth Morin of Niagara Falls called 911 and comforted the boys.
Mayor Jim Diodati warned of the danger. "There's a strong current, very, very strong, the water is drawn in from the river, to fill the canal, which powers the electrical power plants. If you're not a strong swimmer, my daughter was one of the lifeguards in the past with St. John's ambulance, and a lot of people get into trouble."
Jeff McMurray was not able to be at city hall, to receive a chief's coin from Niagara Falls Fire Chief Jo Zambito.
However, Councillor Mike Strange wanted to take it beyond a city award, and offered a motion that would seek medals of bravery from the provincial and/or federal governments. Council unanimously approved that.
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