Niagara Man’s Heroic Efforts Save Family From River Tragedy

It’s often questioned just how much difference one person can really make, but based on the recent efforts of a Niagara area man, the answer is a world of it.

Matthew Vizbulis (pictured) risked his life to rescue a Brampton father and his two children from the rapids of the Niagara River, and although he doesn’t consider himself a hero, his actions tell a different story.

“I couldn’t tell whether it was an adult or a child,” recalls Vizbulis on first hearing the screams.

“I ran down there within 10 seconds … it was either I was jumping in or they were going to drown.”

By the time Vizbulis reached the trio, they were already face down and circling in the rough waters.

“It was one at a time … I went back out three times and they were maybe 20 feet from the shore,” he said.

But as impressive as the 29-year-old’s rescue was, the fact that he was there at all was also amazing. An avid outdoorsman, Vizbulis was rock climbing in Niagara Glen at an earlier time than he usually makes the trek.

It was only because of a schedule change that he was there at all to hear the calls for help.

“I would have been there a lot later had something not happened the day before,” he told CityNews’ Marianne Dimain in an exclusive interview.

Still, despite being a hero, Vizbulis refuses to be treated like one.

“Shortly afterwards while we were tending to the victims, he left on his own accord without saying goodbye,” said Niagara Parks Police Const. John Gayder.

“He seemed almost to be sort of a reluctant rescuer.”

But he won’t be able to stay that way for long.

In addition to being known in the throughout the area as a thrill seeker and artist, Niagara Parks Police plan to nominate Vizbulis for an Award of Bravery.