Star of Courage
Awarded on: 1983-01-17
Invested on: 1983-03-04
In the afternoon of 25 March 1981, Randall Bush of the Keswick (Ontario) Volunteer Fire Department, loss his life in a valiant effort to rescue a drowning man. Sometime after the man had fallen through the ice while fishing at Roche's Point on Lake Simcoe, the Fire and his son Randall Bush arrived first on the scene. Concerned that the man was in great peril of succumbing to exposure and well aware that the ice was extremely fragile, they walked out on the frozen surface. Moments before they could reach the victim, the Fire Chief broke through the ice. Randall Bush then turned his attention to his floundering father, but the ice collapsed under him as well. Struggling against the weight of his firemen's clothing, which quickly sapped his strength, he persisted in trying to help until he sank from sight. The victim unfortunately also lost his life. Mr. Bush's father was later pulled to safety by another fireman.