OPP honours heroic police officers, civilians
Six people, who saved man from truck filling with water near Red Lake, Ont., among those honoured
A man from Red Lake, Ont. is one of seventeen civilians and police officers recognized by the OPP on Wednesday at an awards ceremony in Thunder Bay.
Chris Jobson, along with Derek Hamilton, Gordon Pollard, and Ontario Provincial Police constables Matthew Gee, Joey Machura and Shannon McGale all received the Commissioner's Citation for Bravery.
Jobson was driving to work on Highway 618, in the Red Lake area, in the early morning hours of June 26, 2014. He came to a section of the road which had collapsed under a pickup truck. The driver was still in the truck, and water was gushing into the vehicle.
Jobson got onto the hood of the truck, and tried to divert the rushing water away from the man's face.
Help arrived in the form of police officers, paramedics and other first responders. But they all had to jump from the truck when it was started to wash away. Once the truck was secure, the man was eventually freed and was taken to an ambulance.
Jobson said he's proud to receive the award, but doesn't consider himself a hero.
"I think it was more of the firemen and stuff that helped save him. I think I just kept him calm and reassured him that help was on its way. I can't say I saved his life, but, you know, some people think different, " said Jobson.
Rushing River incident
Employees who have reached service milestones were also recognized.
Other award recipients also include:
- An OPP officer and civilian for pulling a young woman off of a railway overpass in Dryden
- Two OPP officers from Thunder Bay who rescued two boaters on Shebandowan Lake during a severe storm
- Two OPP officers who rescued a couple on Lake Huron who's sailboat had run aground in a remote area. The two officers waded through rough water to get the couple to shore.