Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: March 18, 1985
• Invested on: September 27, 1985

On 10 August 1983, eighteen-year-old Francesca Sartorelli rescued two teenagers brothers from certain drowning in Cameron Creek at Waterton National Park in Alberta. The two were fishing when one slipped into the swiftly-moving river. In his efforts to rescue his older brother, the other boy also fell in. Responding to their cries for help, Francesca seized an inflated tube lying on the beach and entered the near-freezing waters. She reached the floundering boys, finding one below the surface overcome by hypothermia, and secured them to the tube. Although petite, she determined to save their lives, holding one boy's head up while kicking the water as fast as she could and urging the other to hang on. Exhausted and numb with cold, knowing that she too was in danger, Francesca persisted and succeeded in bringing them towards the shallows. On approaching shore, a man swam to her assistance and the trio reached the safety.