Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 10, 1998
• Invested on: December 03, 1999

On July 21, 1997 near Stewart, British Columbia, Shawn St. Denis tried in vain to save a 14-year-old fisherman from drowning in the Nass River. While fishing on the river bank, Mr. St. Denis saw the teenager fall into the powerful river and immediately swam towards him, some eight meters away. Although slowed down by hip waders, he was able to reach the struggling victim just as he slipped beneath the fast flowing waters. Mr. St. Denis repeatedly pulled him to the surface, then dived under again and again to break the panicked teenager's choking grip on his neck. Tragically, the victim succumbed to exhaustion and, despite Mr. St. Denis' best efforts, could not be saved.