Rescue on the MirabyJacklynn MacKenzie |
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"When he looks back on it now, Jackie Gardiner doesn't know where he got the strength to pull two drowning women from the frigid waters of the Mira River. But the two nuns whose lives he saved and their families, say it was an act of God." This was how the article which was written about my Dad began. I don't know in which periodical it was printed, as I could only find bits and pieces of the article. However, it was quite the story back in 1987. It was a very hot summer that year and my Dad who was accustomed to the Mira River, had spent many hours there exercising his painful legs. His daily routine was often the same. He'd attend physiotherapy and then head for Mira Gut, where he would hang on a rope from the bridge, so that his legs would dangle in the current. He found this activity very therapeutic, and it relieved quite a lot of his pain. On one summer day, July l6, 1987, to be exact, he was driving across the bridge, when he heard the screams of the two nuns who were taking a swim and got caught in the undertow. Sister Agnes Morley of Ingonish and Sister Theresa Moore of Halifax, two Sisters of Charity, were visiting in the area. They were driving along the Marconi Trail, heading for Louisbourg, and needing to escape from the heat of the day, decided to go for a swim. When my Dad heard their cries for help, the churning waters were dragging them under. He pulled the car over to the side of the road, dove into the water and pulled them both to safety. The sisters were concerned that this rescue might become public knowledge. They thought that if the news got out, Sister Agnes' two very ill siblings might be further harmed by the news. They, therefore asked that my Dad and any witnesses keep the news quiet. The story wasn't released for two months. Even the Sisters of Charity didn't know of the rescue on the Mira. One Friday night in September of that year, my Dad was the guest of honour, at a dinner held at Mount Carmel Centre in New Waterford. The sisters and their families attended the supper where they expressed their gratitude to Dad for his heroic deed. My husband Don and myself were there, along with close family and friends. We were all very proud of Dad that night. My Dad was no stranger to overcoming obstacles. He was a World War 11 Veteran, who was injured in active duty in Italy. He had many injuries, one of which left him with a metal plate in his head because of a skull fracture. He also had a bad back and legs, as well as internal injuries. It was a miracle he even survived. As a matter of fact, it was because of the pain caused by some of these old injuries that he was on the bridge that day in July of 87. Dangling from a rope with his legs submerged in the frigid waters of the Mira River would numb his legs somewhat, thus relieving some of his pain. After about twenty minutes of this therapy he said he could walk around relatively pain-free. The Sisters of Charity were very grateful that my Dad was there that day to rescue them, and they expressed their gratitude at the supper. Dad thanked them for organizing this event. He thanked his family and friends for attending. Everyone had a great evening. I often wonder if faced with a similar situation, would I be as brave as my Dad, risking my life to save two others. I certainly hope I would do the same. |
| © 2004 Jacklynn MacKenzie |
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