Arviat, Nunavut, man awarded medal of bravery for rescue of rescuer
Joe Karetak of Arviat, Nunavut, was awarded a medal of bravery Friday for rescuing a helicopter pilot sent to pluck him and his son from the ice.
Karetak was one of 36 people to receive medals from Gov.-Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa.
In January 2013, Joe Kayakyuak Karetak Sr. and his son Napayok were hunting seals when their boat started to take on water. They were stranded overnight on an ice floe.
A helicopter was then sent in to rescue them but after landing on the ice, it started to sink.
Karetak inched his way to the ice edge, extended a harpoon to the pilot and pulled him to safety. The three men were rescued three hours later by a second aircraft.
Deline man honoured for night rescue
Lionel Louison of Deline, N.W.T., was also among those receiving medals of bravery on Friday.
In September 2012, Louison ran out into Great Bear Lake to rescue a suicidal man who was in danger of drowning.
In darkness, Louison swam through near-freezing water to the victim. Through rough water, he pulled the man back to the dock, where others helped them get out.
