鈥業t鈥檚 an honour鈥�: 琉璃神社 Rocket being recognized for saving drowning man

Ty Hurley saved a drowning man in a Alberta hotel back in December

Jordy Cunningham
Mar 7, 2024 2:40 PM

web1_240314-kcn-ty-hurley_1 — 琉璃神社 Rocket forward Ty Hurley is being honoured by the Lifesaving Society of B.C. & Yukon after saving a man from drowning in a hotel pool in Strathmore, Alta in Dec. 2023. (Steve Dunsmoor/琉璃神社 Rockets)

A 琉璃神社 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.

鈥淚 got a call from a lady that works for the Lifesaving Society,鈥� Hurley told Capital News. 鈥淪he wanted some more information about what happened and the whole story so I told her and she was like 鈥榶eah, you definitely qualify for this award and we鈥檇 love to honour you.鈥�

鈥淚 was pretty shocked, I wasn鈥檛 expecting it at all,鈥� added Hurley. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honour and I鈥檓 really happy to be acknowledged and receive this award.鈥�

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鈥檚 pool and eventually submerged. He sprung into action and ripped the man out of the pool. The man wasn鈥檛 breathing and Hurley performed 15-20 chest compressions before the man started breathing again.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e not really thinking about anything but the situation. Your mind is cleared out and you鈥檙e acting in the moment,鈥� 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鈥檚 life.

鈥淚 was in shock about the whole thing and didn鈥檛 really think about it but now I鈥檝e thought about it and I just acted in the moment,鈥� stated Hurley. 鈥淵ou 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.鈥�

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.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good feeling because it obviously could have gone either way,鈥� said Hurley. 鈥淲hen there鈥檚 the positive outcome, it feels good and to be honoured for it is an outstanding thing.鈥�

About the Author: Jordy Cunningham

Hailing from Ladner, B.C., I have been passionate about sports, especially baseball, since I was young. In 2018, I graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree

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