Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 25, 1983
• Invested on: June 24, 1983

David Harter, M.B.
Kerry Schwab, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

In the mid-afternoon of 19 April 1981, David Harter, aged 20, and Kerry Schwab, aged 18, saved a seven-year-old girl from drowning. A group of children were sitting on the rocks, dangling their feet in the Nanaimo River, when the young girl suddenly slipped into deep water and was carried away by the current. The girl's aunt, a non-swimmer, called for help. Though a poor swimmer himself, David Harter dashed to the river's edge, plunged into the fast-flowing water and swam out to the child who by then had almost disappeared below the surface. He held her up and started for shore, but the cold water hampered his efforts. Meanwhile, Kerry Schwab had dived in the treacherous waters and reached the child, now in great danger of succumbing to hypothermia. She brought the little girl to safety while Kerry's father helped Mr. Harter to shore. Had it not been for the timely intervention of the pair, the incident would likely have had a tragic outcome.