Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: January 24, 2001
• Invested on: June 22, 2001

Jason Peter Crawford, M.B.
Wade Michael (Pete) Crawford, M.B. (Posthumous)
Medal of Bravery

On January 9, 2000, Wade Crawford lost his life while rescuing two teenagers from drowning in Cancun, Mexico. Mr. Crawford and his son Jason were on the beach with friends when they heard cries for help. Father and son immediately jumped in the water, swam to the victims and brought them close to shore where others provided assistance. Jason then noticed that his father, a weak swimmer, was being swept into deeper water by the strong current. Battling two-metre waves, Jason managed to reach him some 30 metres out. Both struggled to grab each other's hands but the crashing waves repeatedly pushed them apart. Pulled under by the powerful swell, Jason resurfaced a few metres away from his father who yelled at him to grab hold of the life line thrown from the shore. Knowing that he could not reach his father despite his best efforts, Jason seized the rope and was pulled to safety. Sadly, Mr. Crawford lost his struggle and although his body was quickly recovered, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.