Class continued exchange after 13-year-old nearly drowned
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Iglulik (Jun 04/01) - A much-anticipated trip south almost turned tragic when a teen nearly drowned in an Ottawa hotel pool.
A teacher is credited with saving the live of Wilma Ammaq, 13.
He pulled the unconscious teen from the pool and initiated CPR.
Ammaq remains in Ottawa as an out-patient after the May 24 mishap.
"She's doing very well," said her mother Micheline from Ottawa.
On May 24, Colin Shawyer pulled Ammaq from the Chimo Hotel pool two days into a 13-day exchange. Shawyer started CPR while a student called 911.
Ammaq was one of 18 Grade 6 and 7 Ataguttaaluk students who worked for months to pay for the trip to southern Ontario.
Three teachers and three chaperons accompanied the group.
A police inquiry ruled the mishap accidental.
"Had (Colin) not reacted as he did, the girl would have died," S/Sgt. Mike Rice told the Ottawa Sun newspaper.
Ataguttaaluk principal Trudy Pettigrew was keeping in contact with Shawyer from Iglulik.
"In Colin's mind, he's not a hero ... we're very thankful they (teachers) are very capable people and handled such a situation competently," Pettigrew said.
Ammaq was taken to hospital and treated for drowning-related injuries and released a week later.
The results of a June 6 doctor's appointment will determine when Ammaq returns home.
Ammaq's mother flew to Ottawa shortly after the mishap. The teen is walking and talking but low on energy.
The incident didn't deter students from continuing with the trip.
Students went rock climbing and kayaking north of Toronto before reuniting with Sir William Osler school students in Bradford, Ontario. The Osler students visited Iglulik in April.
While in Ontario, Ammaq's classmates put on drum dancing and Inuit games demonstrations.
"It was about cultural sharing, not just to take but to give," Pettigrew said.
An incident report was filed with Qikiqtani School Services last week.
Disciplinary action was not expected.
