Mrs. Bonnie Kathleen Patterson

  • Sidney, British Columbia

Decorations for Bravery

  • Medal of Bravery

    • Awarded on: August 4, 1987
    • Invested on: September 25, 1987

    Bonnie Kathleen Patterson, M.B.
    Kenneth Walter Ridgway, M.B.
    Medal of Bravery

    In the early morning of August 20, 1986, Bonnie Patterson and Kenneth Ridgway helped Daniel Penney to save a man from burning to death while trapped in his damaged car. The driver had failed to negotiate a sharp curve in a road near Sidney, British Columbia, spun around and driven backwards into a ditch. Fire broke out under the engine compartment and smoke filled the car. Bonnie Patterson, the first to discover the vehicle, tried unsuccessfully to smother the fire with gravel and to open the driver's side door in order to rescue the unconscious man, but it was jammed. Mr. Penney entered the car, freed the victim and while he pushed from the inside, Mrs. Patterson and Mr. Ridgway pulled the man out through the driver's side window seconds before the interior of the car burst into flames.

    Daniel Penney received the Star of Courage for his part in this rescue.