Medal of Bravery
- Awarded on: January 12, 1987
- Invested on: March 06, 1987
R.C.M.P. Constable Ian George Duncan, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Gregory Austin Young, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On the morning of January 31, 1986, Csts. Ian Duncan and Greg Young of the Nanaimo RCMP Detachment, at great personal risk rescued an 84-year-old man who was trapped in a submerged car in the three-metre-deep Millstone River. Driving past on the nearby bridge, they had seen the accident and immediately rushed to help. The two men dove into the cold and murky waters and struck out for the car, approximately eight metres from the shore. They battled a strong current and Cst. Duncan was not an accomplished swimmer. The victim, unconscious, was in the back seat with water up to his neck. The car was sinking quickly and, because of water pressure, the doors would not open. Cst. Duncan, having swum back to shore to get an axe, smashed a window and grabbed hold of the victim's leg. Meanwhile, Cst. Young had dived repeatedly to try to open the door; he succeeded on the third try and between them they floated the victim to the surface and towed him to shore. Waiting fire department personnel applied life-saving techniques and revived the victim.
