A local expert on water safety and survival who issued a stern warning not to drive vehicles over flooded roadways will give a visual demonstration, as part of an instructional video production on why it is so dangerous.
On Monday, April 18, 2011, at 10:00 am, Gordon Giesbrecht will be at the scene of a tragic accident south of Ste. Agathe, where a man lost his life last week while attempting to drive across a flooded roadway.
Giesbrecht will be working with the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team filming a demonstration video on the perils of driving onto a flooded road or highway. Also in attendance will be Mr. Gary Stott, brother of the man who lost his life in last week’s tragedy. The location was chosen at the suggestion of the Stott family, who support any efforts to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again.
Giesbrecht, associate dean (research), Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, is better known as “Professor Popsicle.” He is a world expert on cold-water survival and safety, and has demonstrated lifesaving techniques on the Rick Mercer Report and The Late Show With David Letterman.
He notes that few people realize a vehicle can start floating in as little as 16-18″ (40-45 cm) of water. The problem is exacerbated if the water is flowing. Once the vehicle floats is can quickly be pushed off the road and over ditches, creeks or rivers where the water is deep enough for the vehicle to become submerged and drown its occupants.
