Star of Courage

• Awarded on: April 21, 1987
• Invested on: June 26, 1987

On the morning of June 5, 1985, James Crandall, driving over a bridge near the Kenora Hospital, saw a man standing outside the 1-metre high guard rail and noted his wallet and papers scattered on the pavement. Realizing the man meant to commit suicide, he approached him and tried to reason with him. The man, who appeared as if in a trance, responded by punching him and jumping into the swift current of the Winnipeg River 6 metres below. The danger posed to the would-be suicide by the current, floating logs and a nearby power dam, prompted Mr. Crandall, who had no formal lifesaving training, to follow and attempt his rescue. He located the man on the bottom, holding on to a log. After a struggle, he managed to force him to the surface and began pulling him to shore. His strength failed, however, and he urged the man to help. The man, who proved to be a powerful swimmer, then made for shore, 20 metres distant, by himself, while Mr. Crandall was left to make his own way. Mr. Crandall suffered bruised chest muscles as a result of the incident.