EDMONTON — A businessman and volunteer firefighter from Fox Creek, Alberta is being called a hero after jumping into action when he heard about an overturned boat.

The man – who RCMP say has asked to remain anonymous – was packing up his truck and boat and heading home from Iosegun Lake Sunday afternoon when he was waved down.

There had been a frantic 911 call about a capsized boat somewhere on Iosegun Lake. Three people on board had fallen into the very cold water.

RCMP say the man had his boat back in the lake within minutes. He, along with four on and off duty emergency personnel, took off across the lake to find the boat.

About 2.7 kilometres from the boat launch at the far end of the lake, the rescue group found the overturned boat. There were two adults and a six-year-old child standing on the partially submerged hull. Four other people – two adults and two children – were standing on the shore, about 100 metres away.

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The three in the water were wearing life jackets but clearly suffering from various stages of hypothermia, RCMP said. They had been in the water for about an hour.

However, within 10 minutes, the rescue group was able to get everyone back to shore.

“Tragedy was narrowly averted based largely on the actions of the local Fox Creek businessman,” said Sgt. Warren Wright.

“The rescue efforts would have been considerably delayed had he not been there at the right place, right time, and unconditionally volunteered himself and his powerful boat to the rescue and recovery of eight people from Iosegun Lake. Each one of them owe him a debt of gratitude.

“He is truly a local hero and I am very proud to know him.” Tweet This

People waiting by the boat launch let the group warm up in their vehicles until EMS arrived.

The Fox Creek man was also able to pull the capsized boat back to the boat launch.

Iosegun Lake is about eight kilometres northeast of Fox Creek and 271 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.