North Bay man to receive bravery medal

North Bay resident Mike Williamson will receive a medal of bravery for his role in the rescue of two Torontonians on Lake Nipissing. Photo by Phil Novak, BayToday.ca.

North Bay's Mike Williamson will receive a medal of bravery.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, announced today that 13 Canadians from across the country will be receiving the medals, Williamson among them.

The medals will be presented at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa later this year, likely in December, Patricia Gerrard, a spokeswoman for the Governor-General.


Williamson, who is legally blind, jumped into Lake Nipissing to rescue Torontonians Steven Kennedy and Jacob Pawlawski, who had been clinging to their capsized canoe for four hours.

Three other North Bay residents, Evan Brousseau, Pam Neil and Rick Neil, will receive certificates of commendation, Gerrard said, because they played vital roles in the rescue.

"The risk was greatest to Mr. Williamson and that is why he will receive the medal," Gerrard said.

A news release from the GG's office relates the incident:

"On August 9, 2004, Michael Williamson, who is legally blind, put his life at risk to rescue two men from drowning in Lake Nipissing, Ontario. When he noticed that the victims, clinging to their capsized canoe, were too weak to reach the rope thrown at them from his boat, Mr. Williamson jumped into the lake and swam over to reach their side. As he returned towards the craft with the first victim in tow, Mr. Williamson was struck on the head by his boat as it rocked in the waves, and he slipped under the water. Disoriented, he temporarily lost his grip on the victim, but managed to grab him again and swim towards the back of the rescue boat. While friends helped the man onboard, Mr. Williamson swam back to assist the second canoer until a police vessel arrived at the scene."

BayToday.ca will have more on this story later today.