Emilyn Golden

Emilyn Golden helped save a boy from drowning, West Vancouver, British Columbia, September 9, 2022. In an outgoing tide on a cool morning, a 15-year-old boy, who was autistic and nonverbal, waded fully clothed into Burrard Inlet and swam and drifted to a point about 300 feet from a beach in a municipal park. The boy’s party, including a school caregiver, called for help, alerting Golden, 34, artist, who was near the beach with her two young children and went to learn about the commotion. Golden requested that the boy’s party watch her children, then removed her outer clothing and entered the dangerously cold water, swimming through high waves to the boy, who initially resisted her aid. Responding police learned that Golden, too, was in the water and began arranging for a rescue boat. Golden formed a rapport with the boy, who followed her guidance and encouragement as she swam beside him while he dog-paddled. As the boy began to tire, Golden helped him remove his vest and held onto his shirt with one hand while swimming with her other arm until stopping to tread water and assess their location, which still was far from shore. Shortly, the boy and Golden boarded the rescue boat, which responded from a base about 4 miles away about 14 minutes after police reached the park. The boat carried the boy and Golden to safety near a pier by the beach. The boy went to a hospital and was released that afternoon. First-responders assessed Golden, who was in shock and cold, at the scene. She recovered without further medical treatment.