Sutmitted by:
Teri Martin |

On December 1, 2015, Dale Jersak was commended in a Manitoba Legislative Assembly Member’s Statement by Minister Rob Kostyshyn for saving the life of Henry Natyna on May 5, 2015.

Pictured: Ron Kostyshyn (R) commending Dale Jersak (L)for his actions.
Click picture for a larger version.

The Member’s Statement reads as follows:

December 1, 2015

Joining us in the gallery today is Dale Jersak, a resident of Swan River Valley who saved someone’s life this spring.

On May 5th, Dale was fishing for suckers in the Swan River near a fjord crossing. Another local resident, an older gentleman named Henry Natyna, was fishing from the bridge. The river was flowing over the bridge as it does every spring. Suddenly Dale heard his name shouted, and he saw Henry fall off the bridge and into the current.

Dale’s First Aid training kicked in—he made sure to protect his own safety first. You can’t help anyone if you get yourself injured or killed. Dale ran along the riverbank to some shallow rapids where it was safer to enter the river. Wading chest deep into the fast-moving, icy waters, he managed to grab Henry and haul him to shore.

Henry was bruised and disoriented. He may have been knocked out at some point while he was swept along by the river. But he knew enough to say to Dale, “I owe you my life.”

Dale’s story should remind us to respect our natural environment and how easily it can take a life. In the Swan River and many other water bodies, the current is fast and the water is ice cold. We must keep this in mind and keep our family members safe when we’re near the water or ice.

Dale chalks his actions up to luck—he was in the right place at the right time. But it was more than that. Dale’s First Aid training and quick action saved Henry and Henry’s family from a terrible loss.

Fellow members of the Legislature, please join me in commending Dale Jersak for saving the life of a fellow Manitoban.