Seth Rowe, council thank firefighters for rescue
Clearview Township Fire Chief Colin Shewell thanked local firefighters involved in the cave rescue of Seth Rowe in June.
Shewell has made presentations to firefighters from Barrie and Toronto who rescued Rowe from a deep crevice cave at Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area after being trapped overnight.
Shewell thanked crews from Singhampton, Creemore and Stayner for being quick to the scene and getting the rescue started.
“Our firefighters were key in the rescue of Seth…,” said Shewell. “They were diligent, well trained and professional.”
Seth Rowe and Jamie Murray also addressed council to express their gratitude.
“Thank you guys for not giving us the bill and for my life as well. We live in a beautiful countryside. Thank you for letting me see more of it,” said Rowe.
“The support was phenomenal, without you I wouldn’t have made it through,” said Murray. “As a small family, that was a very large cloud over our heads.”
The total cost of the rescue was tallied at $45,831.29, which was absorbed into the fire department’s 2015 operating budget.
On Nov. 23, Deputy Mayor Barry Burton presented certificates to firefighters Katharine Blohm, Warren Darling, Justin Davison, Mike Edwards, David Finnigan, Lee Hannon, Justin Leimgardt, Garry Lipsett, Tucker Payment, Emily Sutherland, lieutenants Brock Duggan and Bradley Fekete, captains Gerry Goorts and David Culham, Fire Chief Colin Shewell and resident Bill Leimgardt for their involvement in the rescue operation.
Burton said he is very proud of the firefighters.
“This fire department never ceases to amaze me and this council. It’s the leadership at the top too,” he said.
Shewell said Tim Hortons and Stayner Rental, who also contributed to the effort were thanked earlier in the year.
