Star of Courage

• Awarded on: November 26, 2009
• Invested on: October 22, 2010

Casey Marie Peirce, S.C.
Star of Courage

On July 26, 2008, Casey Peirce rescued a man and woman whose canoe had overturned during a sudden storm, at Spray Lakes, Alberta. While cycling with her family, Ms. Peirce heard cries and noticed the victims in the middle of the lake desperately hanging onto their partially submerged canoe. Ms. Peirce jumped in and swam out to the victims. Although her fingers were already numb from the cold water, she grabbed a rope that was attached to the canoe, wrapped it around her wrist, and started to tow the canoe and the victims towards the shore, nearly a kilometre away. Exhausted but determined, Ms. Peirce dragged them for some 45 minutes to bring them closer to shore where others helped pull the hypothermic victims out of the water.