Star of Courage

• Awarded on: June 15, 1987
• Invested on: September 25, 1987

In high winds on the morning of June 15, 1985, Blair Handy rescued a man and a woman in danger of drowning after their aluminium boat had capsized in the middle of Lake Minnewanka, near Banff, Alberta. Others had failed in their attempts to reach the victims when Mr. Handy decided to intervene in his 3-metre inflatable boat. At this time, the victims, wearing life jackets, were desperately clinging to their upturned boat while drifting down the lake. With the help of two bystanders who directed him to the victims, Mr. Handy set out onto the lake, putting himself at great risk since he was unaccompanied. Although his boat nearly overturned, he showed perseverance under very difficult conditions, battling the high waves and strong winds for about 45 minutes before locating the victims approximately 275 metres from shore and pulling them out of the cold glacier- fed waters. On the way back, he not only operated the boat but also helped bail water which was continually swamping the small craft. The victims were later airlifted to a Banff hospital to be treated for hypothermia.