Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 10, 1999
• Invested on: June 26, 2000

On April 4, 1998, train conductor John Harris saved the life of a four-year-old girl who had wandered onto the track behind her home in Peterborough, Ontario. Mr. Harris was stationed on the leading car of a slow-moving seven-car train when he spotted the child, alone on the track. Although he alerted the engineer, he knew that the train would be unable to stop in time. Without regard for his own personal safety, Mr. Harris jumped off his freight platform and sprinted some 25 metres along the track just ahead of the train. He then crossed in front and lunged towards the child. Narrowly escaping being struck, he grabbed her and removed her from the path of the still-moving train.