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Lieutenant Governor presents Lifesaving Society Award to local hero

Rimbey resident Daniel Peacock was recently presented with the Lifesaving Society’s Rescue Commendation Certificate by Alberta Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Norman L. Kwong during an investiture ceremony held earlier this month in Edmonton.
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Alberta Lieutenant Governor

Submitted and Review staff:

Rimbey resident Daniel Peacock was recently presented with the Lifesaving Society’s Rescue Commendation Certificate by Alberta Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Norman L. Kwong during an investiture ceremony held earlier this month in Edmonton.

According to the Society, Peacock used sound judgment and resourcefulness when he jumped into the South Ram River on June 24, 2006, to save the life of a fellow camper who had fallen off a cliff and into the river.

Camping with a church group along the river near Nordegg, a number of campers decided to cool off a bit following a long horse ride by jumping from a six metre high cliff into the river however one young camper slipped, lost his footing and struck a number of rocks on the river’s edge before falling into the water.

Watching from the top of the cliff, Peacock noticed that the young boy had not resurfaced and immediately scrambled down the cliff and dove into the water after the boy.

Shortly after, the boy reached the surface however he began to panic. Peacock reached him and he immediately tried to climb onto his shoulders but as a result, he began pushing Peacock under the water.

“Keeping his wits about him, Daniel pushed hard against the rocks and was able to push the boy towards shore where he was pulled to safety by others,” the Society said. “Daniel then was able to reach shore with the help of a tree branch that was thrown out to him.”

The Society added that Peacock, who was one of eight Albertans to be honoured with the award, saw the situation unfolding and knowing the young boy was in imminent danger, took decisive action and immediately responded with little or no forethought for his own well-being in diving into the water to save him.

The Lifesaving Society continues its long and proud tradition in recognizing rescue heroes for their courage and resourcefulness,” they said of Peacock and the others. “These people have selflessly put their lives on the line to assist others in distress. Rescuers young and old, trained or not are recognized by the Society for being instrumental in the aquatic rescue of a fellow man. The investiture ceremony gave us an opportunity to reflect on the decency and humanity of Albertans. The efforts and stories of the rescue recipients restore hope in our lives in times of peril.”

The Lifesaving Society, Canada’s lifeguarding experts for the past 100 years, is a charitable organization working to prevent drowning and water-related injury through its training programs, the Water Smart public education program and safety management services. Each year in Canada, the Society certifies more than 500,000 people in its swim, lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses.