The North Thompson River flows through Kamloops.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

A Kamloops man who saved a drowning international student has no intention of stopping his efforts to raise awareness of river safety in the Tournament Capital. 

Rob Griffiths pulled a drowning student from the Thompson River near the airport on July 8, and assisted a second student who was struggling to swim to the shore.

He was given a Certificate of Commendation by Kamloops Fire Rescue for his life-saving efforts today, Aug. 1. But instead of focus on that, Griffiths wants to use the spotlight for more measures to be taken by the City of Kamloops to prevent future drownings and close-call drowning incidents, especially after Red Deer resident Stan Cappis lost his life attempting to save two youths swept away in the North Thompson River on July 12, and a near drowning incident took place at Riverside Park on July 18.

“The City calls itself the Tournament Capital but they’ve missed the mark on public safety,” he said. “I will be reaching out to them, we need more signs and awareness brought to tourists and international students, these tragedies are preventable.”

Stan Cappis, 50, of Red Deer was swept away in the North Thompson River, Friday afternoon, July 12, 2024, near the Tournament Capital Ranch.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RCMP

Cappis is presumed drowned and his body has not yet been recovered.

When Griffiths was saving a life, there were a few seconds when he thought he’d lose his own life to the river currents.

“I’m thinking about Stan Cappis and will be volunteering time to look for him,” he said. “I had that moment when I didn’t think I was going to make it, it was terrifying, a few seconds for me and sadly probably longer for Mr. Cappis.”

Griffiths is nominating the heroic Red Deer man for the Governor General’s Award this year.

“It’s a traumatic thing for his family and everyone else,” he said. “After the drowning of Mr. Cappis, it’s hard for me to support this city.”

Griffiths has not reached out to the City yet — he was away at work for several days — but did reach out to the Airport Authority requesting warning signs be put up on Aviation Way where he rescued the students, and said so far the authority has been “standoffish.”

Dr. Michael Mthandazo is presumed to have drowned in the Thompson River on July 30, 2022.

Image Credit: GOFUNDME/Noha Fossen

The City hasn't responded to inquiries from iNFOnews.ca either.

When asked what is being done at TRU to advise international students of the risks of the rivers and if more preventative measures can be taken, the communications department responded in an emailed statement on July 26.

“TRU World addresses water safety with new international students during orientation. Continuing students receive email reminders about water safety as well as information on available swimming lessons. The costs for these lessons are covered by our Leisure, Exploration, and Activity Program (LEAP). We usually see a strong response, with lessons typically selling out.”

Griffiths said he will continue speaking up about the need for preventable measures until improvements are made.

“These incidents happen every year for umpteen years and it's preventable,” Griffiths said. “If we’re going to welcome people here as the Tournament Capital we need to warn them of the dangers.”

The South Thompson River merges with the North Thompson River near downtown Kamloops to form the Thompson River, all of which have strong currents.

In July, 2022, a Vernon doctor drowned in the Thompson River after going for a swim with his son in the river at McArthur Island Park. The current swept him away but not before he managed to save his son’s life.

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