Iqaluit man saves two boys from drowning

Danny Ishulutak and his friends saved two boys from drowning July 31, at this small lake off the Road to Nowhere. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

Danny Ishulutak decided to take advantage of the sunny weather July 31 by going kayaking with some friends on a small lake off Iqaluit’s Road to Nowhere.

But a few minutes into what should have been a relaxing, fun afternoon, Ishulutak and his friends were thrust into the role of heroes.

“We heard two kids start screaming for help, because another kid was drowning,” Ishulutak, 24, said in a recent interview.

The drowning boy then started pulling another boy down, putting both of them at risk of drowning, said Ishulutak, who is originally from Pangnirtung.

Ishulutak and his two friends sprang into action.

The two friends raced over to the drowning boys, both of whom appeared to be about 10 years of age, and separated them. Then they started towing the two children back to shore.

But one of the friends became exhausted himself while towing the boy to safety.

That’s when Ishulutak paddled his kayak over to them, got the pair to grab his kayak and towed them to safety.

“We were all shocked at what had just happened. It was scary, man. And we were all exhausted,” Ishulutak said.

About 15 kids were swimming at the lake off the Road to Nowhere that day, Ishulutak said, while a handful of adults stood on shore.

“Most communities don’t have pools, so we have no choice but to swim in the lakes or the oceans. And the summer is so short,” said Ishulutak, who had some lifeguard training in Pangnirtung before that community’s pool closed down.

Ishulutak said he wants to tell his story in order to make others more aware of water safety.

“Kids should go swimming with adults and bring life jackets. And remember, you’re going to get weaker the longer you swim.”

When the Iqaluit aquatic centre opens in 2017, Ishulutak said people will get a chance to learn better swimming and water safety skills.