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Mr. George Thomas Prior

Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador

Decorations for Bravery

  • Star of Courage

    Awarded on: 1984-01-23
    Invested on: 1984-06-22
    In circumstances of great danger to his own life, George Prior rescued a three-year-old boy from certain death. On the afternoon of 19 March 1982, the young boy had been playing on the partly- frozen Garnish River near Pardy's Point, and had slipped into the water more than fifteen metres from shore. Mr. Prior ran to the river where he saw the boy floating apparently lifeless, kept afloat by the buoyancy of his down-filled jacket. Aware that the fragile ice would give way under his weight, yet determined to save the boy, he proceeded toward the hole, diving for open water as the ice crumbled beneath him. He swam the remaining distance, grasped the unconscious child and, though numb from the cold, maintained his grip. On reaching the edge of the hole, Mr. Prior, with much difficulty, lifted the boy out of the water and then made several attempts to climb onto firm ice. While struggling to save himself, the rescuer urged onlookers to remain secure on shore, knowing that they too would fall into the icy water. They eventually reached Mr. Prior with a long pole and helped him to safety. The boy recovered in hospital.