Paddler assisted after suffering a heart attack
A paddle-out memorial for member Franz Fischer took place on April 5, organised by the Victoria Lake Canoe Club based at Germiston Lake.
The clubhouse/restaurant at Victoria Lake Canoe Club was crowded to capacity as members from various areas around Gauteng gathered to celebrate the life of a canoeist who had passed on.
They also paid respects to a special paddler who was actively involved in various projects including removing trees and debris from local rivers.
Franz Fischer was over 70 years of age and suffered from a heart attack, resulting in him falling out of his canoe into the river at Henley on Klip, in the Midvaal area.
However his partner, Deryck Armour, a member of the Johannesburg Canoe Club (JCC) based at Wemmer Pan, was able to get him to the riverbank, where CPR was performed. The local community emergency team was also quick to respond to ensure resuscitation.
Franz was transported to hospital for treatment and while it appeared he recovered well, sending smiling photos to those wishing him well, the tests performed indicated that heart surgery was required. He did not survive.
The paddlers and families paid their respects to this gentleman, who had participated in numerous river races and extreme adventures in his life as well as being a devoted father and husband.
A bouquet of flowers was sent out in the boats to float on the water during the Paddle UP ceremony, where paddlers on the water raised their paddlers in a salute of farewell.
