Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 14, 2000
• Invested on: February 02, 2001

Shortly after midnight on January 25, 1997, 19-year-old Mathew Daley rescued a suicidal woman from drowning in Lake Ontario, at Spencer Smith Park, in Burlington, Ontario. Mr. Daley and a friend were walking along the lake when they observed a distraught young woman exit a taxi and jump into the rough, freezing lake. Mr. Daley instructed his friend to go for help as he quickly removed part of his clothing, then scaled down a rocky embankment and swam to the victim, some 20 metres out. Determined to end her life, the woman fought to break free of his grip. Despite weakening strength from the numbing water and the struggle, Mr. Daley managed to pull the victim back to shore where others helped complete the rescue.