RCMP in Nanaimo are thanking the civilians who helped one of their own who was struggling with an irate man.
The incident happened Saturday on Rutherford Road near Highway 19A where police were called to a report of a disturbance between a man and a woman.
When the officer arrived he found a woman, wearing a bathing suit and behaving erratically and when he attempted to detain her, a 33-year-old man stepped in and began assaulting the officer.
The pair tumbled to the ground and punches were exchanged by both before the man attempted to flee but passing motorists got out of their vehicles and assisted the officer who was able to arrest the suspect.
The 38-year-old woman, who ran off during the fight, was located nearby by other officers and transported to the local hospital for a medical assessment.
The officer worked the remainder of his shift but will be sporting a black eye and some bumps and bruises for his efforts and some of the bystanders, police say, got a little banged up as well.
Mounties say this is the second incident in less than a week in which bystanders have intervened in a violent situation and they want the bystanders to know the help is appreciated.
