Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 20, 1984
• Invested on: July 09, 1984

On the afternoon of 12 May 1983, while driving across a bridge on Highway 22, James Alexander McKinnon saw a truck ram through the railing and plunge into the Souris River. He stopped and hurried down to the water's edge. The driver had managed to pull himself out of his sinking vehicle but he could not swim and was crying for help. Though untrained in rescue techniques, Mr. McKinnon plunged in. Once he had reached the drowning man, Mr. McKinnon almost lost his own life as he battled to loosen the victim's grip around his neck. Finally he freed himself and fighting against the current and the cold water, struggled to keep the considerably heavier man afloat. With much effort he succeeded in bringing him near the shore where a woman held out a long plank and helped them to safety.