Fisherman charged after saving his friends

[MikePal]

What a horrible story ..very sad

They are three weather-hardened fishermen. But after fighting for their lives in the icy waters of Georgian Bay and watching a fourth friend die, there’s a softness in their souls that’s changed their lives.


The memory of thrashing in the frigid waters, grasping for the ice that shattered like glass with each desperate reach and hearing their friend’s fading pleas for help, is imprinted in their minds forever.

Since he was a young boy, Brent Fisher, 47, of Innisfil, was all about fishing. But this was his final fishing trip. When he fell through the ice on Feb. 6, he never made it out.

Sitting around a table at best friend Ross Guy’s Innisfil home, where fishing rods and tackle are displayed like cherished ornaments, the three men share their tragic story.

Beneath their tough exteriors, you can sense the pain.

Survivors Brad Jakubiak 57, of Coldwater, Mike Rimmer, 56, of Alliston, insist their friend Guy, 51, is a hero who risked his life to save theirs and tried to save Fisher, too.

“Without him, I was a dead man,” Jakubiak says. “There is no doubt about it.”

The police, it seems, weren’t as impressed with his efforts.

you have to read this one thru:

http://www.ottawasun.com/2016/02/20/...saving-friends

[Fishinchris]

Wow makes me feel sick to my stomach I have been in that situation and luckily all 3 of us are still around to talk about it. It was a life changing experience can't imagine if one of us wasn't here today. Very sad story. If you are an ice fisherman make sure you read the story.

[seabast]

The charge should be drop in court. Cops obeyed by the rules I guess...

[greatwhite]

Sometimes even if you have been drinking you need to make a decision. The Police were wrong and very wrong to charge him.

[TheProvider00]

Anyone would have done the same. It was a life and death situation.

[werner.reiche]

Poor decision by the cops.
Still have a chance for the crown prosecutor not to prosecute.
If it makes it to court, he's going to be found guilty - because by the law, he is.

That's a problem with our legal system - when everyone is "just doing there job" sometimes, it falls apart.

The excuse "just doing their job" (also known as the Nuremburg defense), likely means that they weren't doing their job if it involves thinking and decision making.

[ldub]

Police can always use discretion. That being said we only heard one side of the story, It's possible a few details were left out.

[MikePal]

Police can always use discretion. That being said we only heard one side of the story, It's possible a few details were left out.

That's the problem with these articles...never the 'whole ' story and most times not very accurate. Which leaves the arm chair commenters making a lot of assumptions.

[delmer]

Unbelievable. While he did break the law, hopefully someone will have enough common sense to see that there were grievous extending circumstances that forced him to drive. As it was reported, he was a passenger up til that time. It could also be a case where the police issue charges based on their initial findings and leave it to the crown and the courts to decide whether to proceed.

[cuda]

Very sad indeed.