James Alfred Coe, M.B.
Dean Sarell, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
James Coe and fifteen-year-old Dean Sarell rescued a young climber who was stranded on a shallow mountain ledge several hundred feet above ground at Oliver, British Columbia, on the night of 4 November 1975. Because of the poor visibility air rescue operations had to be abandoned in favour of climbing the mountain. Mr. Coe was summoned and set out with a fellow-mountaineer and local youths including Dean Sarell, who was familiar with the rugged terrain. They found their way by flashing and under Mr. Coe's direction overcame loose shale and moss-covered rock. About three hours later the climber was found on the almost inaccessible ledge. At the risk of serious injury Dean snaked his way to a point above him and fastened a rope. Mr. Coe then manoeuvred to an overhang from which he lowered both young men.