A northern Saskatchewan woman is being hailed as a hero after she saved a drowning boy who had fallen through the ice on Sunday, becoming not only a brave rescuer but also the focal point of gratitude from the local community.
Elaine Ratt, who belongs to the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, was working her shift at the Sucker River Community Store when the drama unfolded. The routine of her day took an unexpected turn when a young boy rushed inside, panic evident on his face. "The fear in [his] eyes scared me," Ratt recalled, feeling the urgency of the situation as the boy urgently sought help.
Without hesitation, Ratt followed the boy as he led her to Sucker River Lake, where his friend had tragically slipped through thin ice during their playtime. Ratt quickly dialed 911, aware there was no time to waste. "I see he's still above water and he was struggling," she noted, her maternal instincts kicking in instantly.
Understanding the perilous conditions, Ratt moved cautiously onto the ice, reminding the boy to keep his head above water. The tension escalated as the ice began to crack beneath her feet, compelling her to get down on her hands and knees to crawl. "By the time I was getting toward him, he was already starting to float down underneath the water," she recounted, each moment becoming ever more desperate.
The ice grew increasingly unstable, and Ratt did not have much time left. She lost her balance and plunged feet first through the icy surface. The freezing water enveloped her, hitting her with shock and panic. But Ratt's only thought remained focused on the boy. "My only focus was getting him out of the water, regardless of my own safety," she said vividly.
After managing to hoist the boy onto what she assessed as solid ice, Ratt ensured he was responsive enough to roll himself toward the shore. Only then did reality hit her as she considered her own precarious situation: "It was a shock. It didn't click to me how deep the water was going to be when I went in," she reflected. Struggling against the ice pulling her down, she fought to free herself from the water's grip.
With persistence, Ratt finally managed to hoist herself out onto the ice and swung her legs over the edge before standing up, though it drained her completely as she remained soaked and cold. Her next instinct was to get the boy back to the safety of the store, where warmth awaited. Yet, upon trying to carry him, Ratt realized he was too cold to walk properly. "So I carried him, with all my soaking clothes and his soaking clothes," she said, highlighting the sheer determination to get both of them to safety.
Help arrived, albeit slowly, as the Sucker River Fire Department and RCMP were about 20 minutes away from the remote area about 20 kilometers north of Lac La Ronge. Ratt's heart raced as she focused on keeping the boy warm until help arrived.
Ratt shared how she has frequently seen children playing around the store and along the edge of the water. A mother herself, she felt deeply for the boy and stated, "It was more of a reflex. I don't want to see this little boy down the river or something worse happening to him. So I would rather we risk my life than his.”
It was not lost on her the memory of past tragedies; just four years prior, another child had unfortunately drowned after falling victim to the river's strong currents. Ratt expressed gratitude for the different outcome this time around, showcasing her humility yet again. "I’m just really thankful for the little boy who came running for help. If it wasn't for him, we would totally be in a different place," she remarked, emphasizing collective gratitude for the boy who initiated the rescue.
Following the incident, the young boy was taken to La Ronge hospital to be checked for hypothermia. Ratt received word later from his grandmother, who assured her the boy's body temperature had normalized, bringing relief to both the rescuer and the community.
Lac La Ronge Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, who arrived at the scene shortly after the boy was rescued, praised Ratt's courageous actions. "The one who went up for help, he's a hero too," Cook-Searson acknowledged the boy's bravery, asserting their shared recognition of the risks faced. She was moved when she heard how Ratt had leaped to action for someone else's child, attributing the child's safety to their collective efforts.
When Ratt returned to the store for dry clothes, she received applause from Cook-Searson and the emergency crews present. Moved to tears by the support and recognition, Ratt remained modest about her role as the savior, insisting, "She saved his life and she deserves a medal," reflected Cook-Searson.
Ratt's quick decision to leap onto thin ice and battle against freezing waters not only showcases her bravery but also ignites conversations about ice safety within the community, especially during winter when such dangers are often overlooked.
This incident serves as both caution and inspiration—reminding everyone of the ice’s treacherous allure, especially among children unaware of the hidden dangers. With winter firmly settling over Saskatchewan, calls for increased awareness about ice safety are likely to rise, encouraging parents and guardians to remain vigilant about keeping children safe from such precarious situations.
Ratt's actions ignite discussions about community safety and the innate human drive to protect and save those around us, breathing new life and gratitude for everyday heroes. It's her story and the little boy's bravery intertwined—both strangers to one another yet forever linked through this life-changing event. True heroism often lies not just within epic tales, but also within the selfless acts of everyday people ready to respond when called upon.
