Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: March 1, 2005
• Invested on: June 24, 2005

On November 10, 2002, winemaker Frank Supernak lost his life in a failed attempt to save a co-worker who had accidentally fallen into a wine fermentation tank, in Oliver, British Columbia. Although aware of the danger caused by the poisonous carbon dioxide found within fermentation tanks, Mr. Supernak tried to pull his unconscious colleague from the container. When his efforts proved unsuccessful, he jumped into the vat and attempted to rescue his friend by lifting him out to safety. Within seconds, Mr. Supernak also succumbed to the deadly fumes and lack of oxygen, and could not be revived.