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Suicidal man pulled from Yukon River

A 39-year-old man was rescued from the Yukon River by RCMP on Tuesday. At around 8:15 p.m.

A 39-year-old man was rescued from the Yukon River by RCMP on Tuesday.

At around 8:15 p.m., Emergency Medical Services called the police for assistance. The man was described as drunk, suicidal and highly agitated in a press release about the incident.

When two officers arrived at the riverbank, the man was already in the water, said RCMP spokesperson Const. Christine Grant. The officers encouraged him to swim back, but the man refused.

One officer took off his gear, put on a lifejacket and swam up to the man with a buoy. Because of the river’s strong currents, the man went under a few times before the officer reached him, said Grant.

The other officer remained on shore, and a bystander helped him pull the distressed man and the rescuer to shore.

The man was arrested under the Mental Health Act and brought to Whitehorse General Hospital.

The incident took place near a business along the Yukon River. Grant wouldn’t disclose which one.

The RCMP is asking the public to help them identify the Good Samaritan who helped them with the rescue, so he can be recognized for his bravery.

The bystander just walked away after lending a hand. “It was awfully nice for that man to help out, it was just sad we didn’t get his name,” Grant said.