Thompson-Okanagan men who risked their lives to save others to be honoured with Medals of Bravery

OTTAWA – Three Kamloops men and a man from Vernon will be receiving the Medal of Bravery from the Governor General later this week.

Wilbert Kent and Robert Reid, both from Kamloops, will be recognized for actions they took saving a women in January 2013, along with their friend Tom Blair.

When the woman fell through ice on the Thompson River while chasing her dogs the three men, who were having a beer in a nearby pub, created a human chain and pulled her to safety. Blair has already received a medal for his actions.

On Feb. 27, 2014 Michale Heide of Kamloops, Justin Huska of Vernon and Kris Gunderson of Delta helped rescue two people from a burning vehicle. At the scene Huska spotted a woman waving for help and was able to pull her to safety. He returned to the car with the other two men and using a pry bar was able to pull the driver out of the burning wreck.

Govenor General David Johnston will present the medals to the four men at a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 28.

The Medal of Bravery is one of the highest awards in Canada and the third highest decoration for bravery in hazardous conditions.

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