Video shows horse rescued by air after B.C. flooding; family thanks Good Samaritans
Watching her home near Spences Bridge being swallowed by the Nicola River, Kim Cardinal hugged her husband Lorn tight, and told him she didn’t think they were going to survive.
“He looked at me and said, ‘At least we’ll be together,’” Cardinal told CTV News, choking back tears.
There was no way to call for help, because the telephone lines were down and there was no cell service. All surrounding roads were washed out, so there was no escape.
“Nobody comes and nobody looks, and we don’t have cellphone service,” she narrated emotionally while shooting video of the raging water. “You’d think there would be helicopters or something.”
Cardinal could also be heard admitting that she may have to set her beloved horse, Winter, and two miniatures horses free to fend for themselves.
“I know they won’t come and get them out of here. I love you Winter,” she said while petting the horse.
About 15 kilometres away, off-duty Surrey RCMP Const. Brett Schmidt, who was on his way home from Kelowna, abandoned his vehicle when he felt the road crumbling apart.
“I was probably a few seconds away from the back end of my truck going downwards, and I imagine I probably would’ve been in the river for sure,” said Schmidt.
He set out on foot looking for help. He walked several kilometres and at one point fell into a river, before eventually seeing Kim Cardinal.
The couple gave him food and water and a place to sleep in their truck.
Schmidt in turn, tried to calm their fears, and helped move the horses throughout the night as the water kept creeping closer.
The following morning they built a fire, hoping someone would see the smoke. It worked.
Choppers began arriving, dropping off food and hay for the horses. Then one by one, volunteers began airlifting the horses to safety. Volunteers were also able to help save their dogs and puppies.
Cardinal called Schmidt her guardian angel.
“I think it was probably more the other way around. They definitely helped me out. They supplied me with food and water and a place to stay,” insisted Schmidt.
Loved ones have started a GoFundMe page for the couple, who lost their home and whose insurance won’t cover the damage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada
H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of US dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Man involved in Dartmouth, N.S., emergency alert earlier this week turns himself in
A 49-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that happened earlier this week in Dartmouth, N.S.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Imagine living in a 4-foot body that doesn't develop chronic diseases
Nathaly Paola Castro Torres has a rare disorder called Laron syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation. It stunts her growth but also provides a hidden silver lining: Her body is protected from chronic diseases such as cancer that often take life away long before old age.
'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut
Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Groundbreaking American guitarist Duane Eddy dies age 86
Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.