Mounties honoured for rescue efforts in Wood Lake crash

LAKE COUNTRY – Two local Mounties received a special honour this week for their attempts to rescue a woman who crashed into Wood Lake more than a year ago.

Cpl. Mike Loerke (retired) and Const. Carl Stene, both of Lake Country RCMP were among 12 people receiving Canada Bravery Bronze Medals from the Lieutenant Governer of British Columbia, Judith Guichon. The ceremony was held at the B.C. RCMP headquarters in Surrey, Tuesday.

Both officers were at the scene when a 59-year-old woman from Salmon Arm slid off the road into the lake while travelling along Hwy 97 north in the afternoon, Dec. 19, 2012. 

Several passing motorists attempted rescue, braving the icy water until RCMP and other emergency personnel arrived. Despite their efforts, the woman died.

For more information on the Canada Bravery Awards, visit the Royal Canadian Humane Association website.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.