WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 6 (UPI) -- A homeless Canadian aboriginal man says he's overwhelmed by the response to his dangerous rescue of a drowning teenager in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Faron Hall's rescue effort happened Sunday afternoon on the banks of the flooding Red River. Accolades continued Wednesday for the middle-aged man as the Manitoba legislature honored his heroism, CTV News reported.
Hall and friend, Wayne Spence, were sitting at a riverside park bench watching the raging, frigid river when they heard a splash and saw an unidentified youth thrashing in the water and yelling for help.
Hall said he tore off his backpack and dove in, but when he reached the youth, he resisted help. Hall said despite the struggling, he managed to drag the teen back to the riverbank, where Spence helped haul them out.
The teenager was reportedly still hospitalized Wednesday.
Since the rescue, Hall said he's been visited by the mayor and promised a municipal medal, along with provincial and possibly federal honors.
CTV said a family who lives nearby who witnessed the rescue has offered Hall a temporary home and help with his alcohol addiction recovery efforts.
