A 79-year old retiree who rescued another 70-year old senior from drowning last fall will receive an award of recognition from the B.C. & Yukon branch of the Lifesaving Society.
Dennis Balogh was thrown from his boat while on a fishing trip at Tagai Lake last September after a gust of wind caused him to lose his balance. He was towed back to shore by Sam Schacke, who happened to be boating in the area at the time. Balogh and Schacke have since become friends, and Balogh nominated Schacke for a lifesaving award in late November. The Lifesaving Society holds a yearly awards ceremony in Vancouver, during which it awards several individuals with awards for merit and bravery in water rescue.
Balogh said seeing Schacke receive some recognition was of personal importance to him.
"To me, it was one of the biggest things that ever happened to me, besides my kids being born," Balogh said of his rescue.
Balogh had been fishing alone at the time, having just finished a week-long hunting trip. His boat was unexpectedly flipped over by a gust of wind. Schacke witnessed the boat capsize, and quickly paddled over. Fearing his boat would tip over as well, Schacke ordered Balogh not to try to get into his canoe, and instead threw him a rope. He managed to tow both Balogh and his boat to shore.
Schacke suffers from occasional wrist pain, but told The Citizen in December that he "forgot all about my pain when I had to really get out there."
By the time they reached shore, it was too late for them both to pack up and depart. The two camped nearby for the night, and Schacke checked on Balogh frequently over the evening.
The two will be travelling to Vancouver in the spring to attend the award ceremony.
