On August 21, 1986, late in the afternoon, Michael Thompson lost his life in an attempt to rescue three young men who had encountered difficulty while swimming in Kennington Cove, Nova Scotia. Mr. Thompson and a friend, informed of the three men's predicament and aware of the danger posed by unusually large waves and a strong undertow, immediately rushed into the water to offer their assistance. All involved made it safely to shore, except for Michael Thompson who was caught in the undertow himself and pulled out to sea, where he eventually succumbed to exhaustion.