Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: July 20, 1972
• Invested on: June 08, 1973

H. Robert Hoffman, M.B.
Dr. D. Keith Hurst, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

Dr. Keith Hurst, aged 32, and Mr. Robert Hoffman, aged 37 at the time, of Brandon, Manitoba, helped rescue the victims of a boating accident in the Assiniboine River. On May 1, 1965, a group of pleasure craft set out for Winnipeg from the Brandon Boat Club. The route involved "shooting" the dam across the Assiniboine at Third Street in Brandon. Dr. Hurst and Mr. Hoffman completed the manoeuvre but the boat following with three men aboard, was caught by the current, swept over the dam broadside, swamped and was then caught in the turbulence at the foot of the dam. Messrs. Hurst and Hoffman manoeuvred their boat into the counter currents below the dam and attempted to pass a rope to the other boat which, however swamped, capsized throwing its occupants into the water. While Mr. Hurst handled the boat most skilfully, Mr. Hoffman helped pull two victims into the boat but the other was drowned in the treacherous water and his body was found some time later.