Skip to main content

Mr. Kevin Brian Ewart

Kamloops, British Columbia

Decorations for Bravery

  • Medal of Bravery

    Awarded on: 2002-09-05
    Invested on: 2003-06-13
    On May 16, 2001, 26-year-old Kevin Ewart lost his life in an attempt to save a woman from drowning after she was suddenly pulled into a whirlpool during a rafting excursion on the Coroico River, in La Paz, Bolivia. Mr. Ewart was guiding a small group of tourists onboard a raft when he saw the woman fall from the leading kayak into the tumultuous waters and become trapped in the eddy. Ignoring the danger, Mr. Ewart dove in after her. Hampered by the strong current in his efforts to reach her side, he grabbed hold of a rope thrown to him from the raft, but the weight of his equipment and the magnitude of the torrent caused him to lose his grip and he too disappeared under the surface. Sadly, Mr. Ewart and the woman had already lost their struggle when the powerful swirl finally released their bodies and efforts to revive them were unsuccessful.