A Trinidadian living in Canada is being praised after helping to rescue a woman whose kayak overturned in the fast-moving Bow River in Canmore, Alberta, on Wednesday afternoon.
Darren Siewnarine, who grew up in Couva and now resides in Alberta, spotted the woman struggling in the icy river while spending time near the water.
He immediately called 911 before running along the riverbank to keep the woman in sight as she was swept downstream by the strong current.
Two other bystanders joined the rescue effort.
According to Siewnarine, the woman was wearing a life jacket which kept her head above the water, as she screamed for help while the swift current carried her further downriver.
The three men were eventually able to reach her from the riverbank and pull her to safety before emergency responders arrived.
Siewnarine said the woman appeared to be in good condition, although she was shivering and visibly shaken by the incident.
He noted that the outcome could have been far worse, explaining that the woman was fortunate to drift close enough to the riverbank to be rescued.
He added that the deeper sections also had much stronger currents.
The woman and her husband later thanked Siewnarine and the other rescuers, while emergency responders and several onlookers also expressed their appreciation.
Siewnarine said authorities had warned people to avoid river activities in the area because unusually warm weather has accelerated snow and ice melt in the mountains, causing river levels to rise and currents to become increasingly dangerous.
