'He was a hero': B.C. father of 4 dies trying to save boy at Fraser Valley lake
When one of Arnulf Salazar’s young sons began drifting into deeper water at Chehalis Lake in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, the 53-year-old didn’t hesitate.
His bravery was not at all surprising to his 18-year-old daughter, Zsalve.
“He didn't even think twice about saving Zac,” she said. “He was running.”
Salazar was at the lake on July 17 for a family picnic. The father of four from Surrey jumped in and managed to reach 10-year-old Zac, who is autistic and non-verbal.
“It was just like a slip of the moment where Zac just started to drift apart from us,” Zsalve said, and described how the lake abruptly gets deeper. “Little did we know, it was shallow, and it suddenly just had a drop.”
Nick McCleary, who was just wrapping up a camping trip at the lake with his own young son and friends, was packing up when he heard shouting near the shore.
“I saw quite a group of people yelling for help and pointing out to the water,” he said. “When I looked, I saw a man and a boy struggling.”
McCleary jumped into the water and swam out to the father and son.
“I told him to pass me the boy and I had a good hold of him. I told the man I had him and I would get him to shore,” he said. “It looked like he was OK, and I looked back a couple times.”
McCleary made it shore with the boy, but when he looked again, Salazar was no longer visible.
“I was just so out of breath, I couldn't go back anymore,” he said. “I really wish I could have done more. He was a father of four. I’m a dad myself.”
Salazar’s daughter said her father was eventually pulled from the water with the help of a diver who was on scene.
“He strapped himself with a rock so he could go down, and thankfully he got my dad out,” she said. “My family and myself, we were doing CPR on him for around an hour (and a half).”
At that point, Zsalve said emergency responders arrived at the remote location, but Salazar did not survive.
“He was a great father,” Zsalve said. “I looked up to him so much. He’s inspired me just to keep pushing forward and do the things I love.”
Salazar worked as a glazier, cutting and installing glass. His daughter said he could initially appear stern, but was really sweet, and very hardworking.
“We had no idea an incident could occur at all,” she said. “Advice would be, prepare for the worst. Because it is summer, it’s getting hot. Life vests.”
Along with his daughter Zsalve, Salazar has a 22-year-old son, and his son Zac has a twin brother who is also autistic. An online fundraiser has been collecting donations to help Salazar’s family.
“Words could never express how thankful I am for everyone supporting me and my family,” Zsalve said, and added she is also grateful to those who even just read what she had written about her father on the fundraising page. “He was a hero that was gone too soon.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.