Police Chief Rick Bourassa has commended members of the community’s emergency organizations for working to rescue a teenager who disappeared in the Moose Jaw River and for supporting the teen’s family afterward.
Getayawkal (Getu) Mamo, 16, went with friends to Wakamaw Valley on June 4 and swam in the river when he went underwater. He could not be located. Police, EMS and fire crews arrived on the scene around 5:30 p.m. after receiving a call. They were able to locate Mamo.
STARS Air Ambulance then airlifted the teen to Regina General Hospital, where he was later declared deceased.
Emergency personnel attempted to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Mamo after pulling him from the water but were unsuccessful, which is why STARS was called, Police Chief Rick Bourassa said during the June 8 Board of Police Commissioners meeting.
“We investigate all situations of death that occur not in hospitals … on behalf of the (Saskatchewan) Coroner’s Office,” he continued. “So we conducted an investigation. We were able to work with a lot of our community partners on providing supports to the family (and) to the people who were involved and the witnesses who had been there.
“(It was) a very traumatic situation and our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by this.”
Bourassa pointed out that the community is fortunate to have people ready to step forward to provide support when such incidents occur.
There is nothing the police service or other emergency service organizations can do to prevent future drownings, Bourassa told board chair Mayor Fraser Tolmie. This was a case where young people were swimming “as young people will do.” However, the coroner’s office might provide some tips about how to prevent such incidents from occurring.
“This is something we do not want to see again,” said Tolmie.
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Tuesday, July 13.
