Photo: 1bluecanoe / Moment / Getty Images
Crystal Bakaluk was working at the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt when her panicking co-worker asked her if they had a net to save a drowning baby raccoon. Bakaluk told CTV news "the little raccoon was flailing on it's back, screaming, and in a few seconds the screaming stopped, and it went under. So I went in." She carefully lowered herself into the water and swam over to save baby raccoon and ended up giving him little pumps on his chest with her thumbs. After he let out a little cough she handed the little guy off and swam back to shore, swimming the length of the pub's patio to get herself out of the water. The soaking wet server apologized to her customers explaining why she had jumped into the ocean and swam past their tables before taking their orders. The raccoon was taken to a rescue center to be monitored overnight and is now doing well.
Bakaluk is now known as "raccoon girl" and is overwhelmed with the outpouring support and appreciation from the community. As a collective the community continued to pour love to the server who is now a local hero and the raccoon who is now a local celebrity. The community has raised money for the cost of the animal's care.
Source: CTV News