John Diefenbaker near-drowning incident

In the winter of 1965, leader of the opposition and former prime minister of Canada John Diefenbaker was on vacation in Barbados. Unknowingly, M.P. John Turner and his wife Geills Turner were staying at the same resort,Turner Heroics Doubted - Diefenbaker Tale Hit - John Ferry - 22 August 1984 - The Vancouver Sun - Retrieved 9 April 2021 the Sandy Lane Hotel,A Fond Farewell: Brian Mulroney on John Turner - L. Ian MacDonald - 20 September 2020 - Policy Magazine - Retrieved 9 April 2021 at the same time. One day, while at the beach, Geills noticed that Diefenbaker was struggling. Turner, a former competitive swimmer, swam out and brought Diefenbaker to shore. Turner was preparing to perform CPR when Diefenbaker woke up.Anecdote A future prime minister rescues a former prime minister - 23 April 2001 - Collections Canada - Library and Archives Canada - Retrieved 9 April 2021 After coughing up seawater, Diefenbaker stated "Thanks, John." The two of them never spoke of the incident again.Dief like you've never seen him: 51 rare images of Canada's most unusual prime minister - Tristin Hopper - 14 September 2016 - The National Post - Retrieved 9 April 2021 Upon Diefenbaker's death in 1979, Turner was the only Liberal asked to be a pallbearer at the funeral.Remembering Dief the Chief: Former PMs Clark, Turner and Mulroney on 25th anniversary of John Diefenbaker’s death - Kady O'Malley - 16 August 2004 - The Hill Times - Retrieved 9 April 2021
The incident was later recalled in reporter Jack Cahill's 1984 book, "John Turner: The Long Run." Two Diefenbaker loyalists later made known their doubts that the incident had occurred, citing their knowledge of the Sandy Lane Hotel and their belief that there were no fierce undertows as described in the book.
Former premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty later joked at a 2008 dinner in Turner's honour that Turner had thrown Diefenbaker into the water in the first place.Former PM John Turner enjoys Liberals' praise, laughter - Rob Ferguson - 21 October 2008 - The Toronto Star - Retrieved 8 April 2021
== References ==
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