Their courageous acts came from split-second decisions – they put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety of others, and on Monday, more than two dozen heroes were recognized for their bravery.
The Royal Canadian Humane Association presented medals to 26 individuals, in recognition for their exceptional acts of bravery in the face of danger.
According to the RCHA’s website, the national award board works under the following mission statement:
“To recognize such deeds of heroism, by Canadians in civilian life, who, through their alertness, skill and concern, save or attempt to save a life, especially where those actions lie outside the ordinary duties of the person involved”
The awards were given not only to RCMP, Edmonton and Calgary police officers, but a number of civilians for their lifesaving actions in a number of potentially fatal, or fatal incidents.
Among the award recipients, was Darrell Krushelnicki, who intervened in a potentially fatal car crash and saved the lives of four youths.
At about 4:30 p.m. on August 31, Krushelnicki was leaving the parking lot at Bonnie Doon Mall in his Hummer, while three teenagers and a child were crossing 83 Street at 84 Avenue.
While he waited to turn left, he noticed another vehicle speeding northbound on the street – with the driver reportedly talking on his cell phone, heading straight for the young pedestrians.
In an effort to prevent the car from hitting the pedestrians, Krushelnicki took proactive measures – pulling out in front of the car.
Two of the teenagers rescued in the incident spoke to CTV News Monday, and recounted the events of that afternoon.
“I remember us waiting for the light, and then we were going to cross the street,” Kyle McInnes said. “We got about halfway across the street.
“[Then] we heard this crash and saw this hummer do a circle, and [we] realized what just happened.”
Two of the first people on the scene of a tragic, fiery crash on Highway 63 were also recognized Monday.
Dion Lefebvre and Tyler Fowler both witnessed the head-on crash on the highway between Fort McMurray and Wandering River on April 27 – and managed to pull three survivors from the two burning vehicles, six other people involved in the crash died on the scene.
Mark Penney, 3-year-old Timothy Wheaton and an 11-year-old girl were all airlifted to hospital – where the young girl succumbed to her injuries.
Meanwhile, Penney and Wheaton are expected to make full recoveries.
While not all of those whose lives were saved attended Monday’s ceremony, a few did for a chance to thank their heroes, including Kyle McInnes and his friend Janice Marett, who was also crossing the street the day Darrell Krushelnicki saved their lives.
“I want to say thank you, what you did was amazing, putting your life in jeopardy for four kids you don’t know,” Marett said. “I’m grateful for it.”
