A Kelowna Rocket is being honoured for his heroic efforts that took place in Dec. 2023.
Forward Ty Hurley is set to be recognized by the Lifesaving Society of B.C. & Yukon after saving a man from drowning in a hotel pool in Alberta.
“I got a call from a lady that works for the Lifesaving Society,” Hurley told Capital News. “She wanted some more information about what happened and the whole story so I told her and she was like ‘yeah, you definitely qualify for this award and we’d love to honour you.”
“I was pretty shocked, I wasn’t expecting it at all,” added Hurley. “It’s an honour and I’m really happy to be acknowledged and receive this award.”
While hanging out with teammates and waiting for others in the lobby of a hotel in Strathmore, Alta on Dec. 7, Hurley noticed a fully-clothed man struggling in the hotel’s pool and eventually submerged. He sprung into action and ripped the man out of the pool. The man wasn’t breathing and Hurley performed 15-20 chest compressions before the man started breathing again.
“You’re not really thinking about anything but the situation. Your mind is cleared out and you’re acting in the moment,” Hurley said back in December a few days after the incident.
Now, three months after it happened, Hurley has had some time to sit back and reflect on the fact that he saved a man’s life.
“I was in shock about the whole thing and didn’t really think about it but now I’ve thought about it and I just acted in the moment,” stated Hurley. “You come across crazy situations sometimes in life and that was one for me. I feel like I just did the right thing at the right time.”
The Lifesaving Society of B.C. & Yukon is holding the ceremony this Saturday, Mar. 9 in Vancouver, where more than a dozen people are being awarded for their life-saving efforts. Unfortunately, Hurley and the Rockets play in Kamloops that night in the middle of their playoff race. A family friend is attending the event and accepting the honour for him.
“It’s a good feeling because it obviously could have gone either way,” said Hurley. “When there’s the positive outcome, it feels good and to be honoured for it is an outstanding thing.”
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