Spokane Valley residents credit the community when accepting life savers award

SPOKANE VALLEY - The Spokane Valley Fire Department honored two individuals with life savers awards for their efforts in rescuing swimmers from the Spokane River just a few weeks ago.

Parker Colbert and Lily Lane were enjoying the river when they heard cries for help near Coyote Rock.

Colbert said he swam out to discover a swimmer had sunk to the bottom of the river. Lane, who is a registered nurse at Sacred Heart, performed CPR once the body had been retrieved by another civilian nearby.

"You really just kind of put people first and it was just kind of instinctual," said Colbert, who moved to Spokane Valley two years ago.

Colbert and Lane both said they were very thankful to everyone who helped out that day.

"I can't solely take the award for myself," Colbert said. "It's really the community that stepped in and the firefighters who helped us get everyone out."

Despite their efforts, one life was lost on the river that day. But Colbert and Lane helped three other swimmers reach safety.

Lane said the moment makes her think of her loved ones.

"It was a stressful situation and, of course, we want to acknowledge the loss of life and think about our loved ones in this situation," Lane said. "Time is fleeting and we've got to be super, super careful when we're out in the elements."

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