Lifeguards on duty

Two employees of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort got a too-close-for-comfort look at the start of the mudslide on July 15, 2012

Adam Elwakeel (L) and Tyson McCarthy (R) gave the alarm about the mudslide coming down at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. — Photo courtesy Adam Elwakeel

Adam Elwakeel and Tyson McCarthy, lifeguards at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, were the first ones to notice the sudden intake of mud to the hot springs pool on the afternoon of July 15, 2012. On their way to the hot springs collection boxes to investigate, they heard a sudden crashing, grinding sound above them on the mountain, and looked up to see the landscape moving toward them.

“We knew about the fatal landslide that happened just a few days before (in Johnsons Landing, B.C.), so it was pretty scary,” Elwakeel said.

Losing their flip-flops along the way, the two lifeguards fled back to the pool and cleared the guests from the area, away from the creek bed where the mudslide was happening.

“There’s an experienced lifeguard on every shift, who knows the emergency procedures,” said Elwakeel. “We have to ensure the safety of our patrons and ourselves before anything else. It was a team effort and the whole lifefguard staff did a fantastic job clearing everybody out and keeping them calm and away from danger.”

Putting people first

When the slide was over, though the resort buildings were intact, it became clear that the resort would have to be shut down because of the destruction of its water reservoir. Many of the staff were concerned that they would lose their jobs.

“The resort was very good about it,” Elwakeel said. “The next day they held a meeting for all the staff and assured us that everyone would be kept on. There was lots of cleanup to do, and we caught up with maintenance jobs too. They were good to us through the whole time.”

Elwakeel recently moved to Calgary with his family to attend school. He said he hasn't had any nightmares about the most frightening event of his 2012 summer.