Leslie Dawn Rakow, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On September 4, 2010, Leslie Rakow rescued a three-year-old boy from a submerged van, in Revelstoke, British Columbia. The child had been sitting in the vehicle while his father was unhooking a boat from the trailer hitch. Suddenly, the vehicle rolled backwards into the water, with the boy trapped inside. Hearing cries for help, Mrs. Rakow jumped into the frigid water and swam out to the rapidly sinking van. With only moments to spare, Mrs. Rakow managed to open the door and pull the child out. She then brought him to safety with the help of passers-by.