Portager doesn't like the title of hero after rescuing man from death

Seventeen Manitobans were recognized last Thursday by Lifesaving Society Manitoba and the province's Lieutenant Governor for their quick thinking and skillful responses in coming to the aid of people.

One of those individuals recognized in Winnipeg at the Rescue and Honour Awards Ceremony was Portage la Prairie's own John Wickberg.

The acknowledgment came for his efforts on the afternoon of November 9th, 2021. This was when Wickberg had just arrived at his cottage in the St. Laurent area.

Wickberg describes that afternoon as a lovely one, weather-wise. The lake was flat, and although the water was cold, he says you could have easily fooled him into thinking it was October.

As Wickberg went down the shoreline of Lake Manitoba, he was notified by his girlfriend, Vivian Broder (who called 911 and was one of the award recipients), of cries for help. Wickberg then grabbed his binoculars to scan the lake. He could see a canoe out on the lake with a man floating in the water nearby who was shouting for help. Wickberg and his neighbour, Brian Paterson (who also received a lifesaving award), then set out to find a boat they could use to rescue the man in distress.

The duo located another canoe further down the beach, and using a kayak paddle, the two paddled out to assist the man who was clearly in medical distress. Wickberg and Paterson yanked the man from the water, secured his canoe, and then returned to shore, where emergency services were on the scene. The patient was treated for mild hypothermia and exposure before being transported to the hospital.

"I think the word hero is reserved for soldiers, firemen and people who run into burning houses at their own risk. Not much could happen in a boat on a calm day," continues Wickberg. "I figure any good citizen would have done the same thing."

Wickberg, who taught at La Verendrye School for 30 years, says that while he has heard the man he helped rescue was 60 years old, he doesn't know much more about him than that, not even his name. Noting he was just trying to do the right thing.

While not accepting the title or considering himself a hero, Wickberg noted he was delighted to get the invite to Winnipeg to meet with Manitoba's Lieutenant Governor, Anita R. Neville, and take this award back to his home in Portage.