A Toronto area man is facing a charge of public intoxication and assault police after dramatic moments along the Ganaraska River in Port Hope on Monday, September 27, 2021.
At approximately 6 p.m. a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Conservation Officer was on patrol along the Ganaraska River at Corbett’s dam.
The Conservation Officer noticed a angler who appeared to be having a hard time standing in the river just south of the Molson Street bridge.
Arriving at Optimist Park, just south of the Molson Street bridge, the Conservation Officer noticed the angler fell numerous times in the river with his fishing gear.
When another angler tried to help the man who was apparently in distress, it was evident he wanted no help and the helpful angler left.
Members of the Port Hope Police along with Northumberland County Paramedics arrived on scene a short time later.
The man did make it to east shore of the river and tried to walk away, when he fell once again nearly falling into the river.
Police yelled to the man to stay sitting and they would come to him.
Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services were called because of the steep embankment on the east side of the river.
Police went down the embankment and escorted the man to the roadway and placed on a stretcher. When the paramedic asked the man if he was diabetic, the angler responded that he was Russian.
The angler was assessed by paramedics inside the ambulance.
A short time later when paramedics released him, the angler became non-compliant and police took the man to the ground and placed him in custody.
It was then the angler started screaming.
The man was again placed on a stretcher and when he was placed in the ambulance it appears he kicked one of the officers in the face.
The angler is charged with public intoxication and assault police.
When police checked his vehicle that was parked in Optimist Park another Toronto area man was found inside the vehicle and was charged with public intoxication.
Three salmon were located at the front of the vehicle.