Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: October 15, 1998
• Invested on: May 10, 1999

On July 8, 1998, Guy Mitchell rescued an elderly woman from drowning in a storm-swelled creek on the West Coast Trail, British Columbia. The woman was hiking with a granddaughter when she slipped off a log crossing and was swept downstream. Mr. Mitchell immediately grabbed a safety rope and allowed the fast-flowing waters to carry him in her direction. When he reached the end of the rope, he let go in an effort to locate the woman. Blindly riding the raging torrent, Mr. Mitchell spotted her submerged and trapped in front of a log, some 30 metres away. He crashed against another log as he neared her but managed to get his footing and to lift the unconscious victim's head above water. Unable to dislodge her by himself, he kept a firm grip on her until help arrived.