Teen who saved stepfather, uncle from drowning wins bravery medal
Chelsea Little has a hard time thinking of herself as a hero, but that's what her family calls her.
She was one of four Albertans awarded a Medal of Bravery Thursday by Gov. Gen. David Johnston at a national ceremony at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton.
"I don't think you can (top) this, it's pretty amazing," Little said Thursday.
The Fort McMurray family was visiting relatives in Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, in the summer of 2014.
On August 11, the family was swimming in nearby Thoburn Lake.
Little, then 15, challenged her stepfather Eddie McCann to a swimming race. The two were in the middle of the lake when Little noticed McCann, lagging behind, was in trouble.
Little swam back to him, heaved the over-200-lb. man onto her chest, and using her legs to kick, brought him to shore. Then she saw her uncle, who was also swimming in the lake, sink below the surface.
Realizing he too was in trouble, Little jumped back into the lake, diving underwater to locate the man, then dragging him to shore.
"She saved my life, I'll always be grateful," McCann said Thursday, his voice cracking with emotion. "She did it on her instinct and just for the love of her family. Doing what she had to do at the time."
Both said the ceremony today has them re-living the events of that day.
"I still can't believe this," said Little, pointing at the Medal of Bravery pinned to her chest. "Talking about it this morning I was just realizing how big of a deal it actually is and what people go through to get this kind of award. I'm absolutely honoured."
Other Albertans awarded a Medal of Bravery at the ceremony on Thursday:
- Arliss Jackson of Calmar and Adam Tarnowski of Onoway rescued an injured man from a burning vehicle after a collision on July 7, 2015, near Stony Plain
- Tyrell Neufeld of High Level rescued a co-worker who was being attacked by a black bear near Zama City, 70 km north of High Level. The duo was inspecting an oilfield site when the bear attacked
