UPDATE: Drunk man plucked from Fraser River
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Updated: October 07, 2009 3:19 PM
The dangers of drinking and driving have been well documented, but a pair of New Westminster men recently discovered walking after throwing back a few too many can also be hazardous to your health.
Two New Westminster officers had to race to the police boat to fish an intoxicated 45-year-old local out of the Fraser River at 7:30 p.m. Monday night.
Firefighters were unable to reach the man, who stumbled into the cold water while walking on the boardwalk about 30 meters downstream from the Westminster Quay Public Market, with a life vest or ladder.
“Thankfully this is not common because it’s very dangerous,” said Sgt. Gary Weishaar. “We have to do it a handful of times throughout the year.”
The man was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital by an ambulance waiting back at the police dock, but did not suffer any serious injuries.
The same could not be said for another New Westminster man that was hit by a car after ignoring a red light and running across 8th Street at the intersection with Carnarvon Street.
The 57-year-old suffered non-life threatening injuries to his head, knees, hands and chest, and was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital for X-rays. Police discovered he was under a court order not to consume alcohol and are following up on that breach.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the man also admitted to consuming alcohol, but was released with a 24-hour suspension of his license after readings taken at police headquarters determined his blood-alcohol content was below the legal limit of 0.8-milligrams.
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