Vauxhall man receives bravery award in Ottawa for 2017 rescue

Southern Alberta Newspapers

A man from Vauxhall was honoured Oct. 24 with a Governor General’s award for bravery.

Governor General Mary Simon presented 40 Decorations for Bravery during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Oct. 24, including a Medal of Bravery for Braden Gertzen.

A citation provided by Rideau Hall states that Gertzen rescued a woman trapped in her burning vehicle in Vauxhall on July 21, 2017.

“Arriving on the scene, he tried to pry open the driver’s and back doors, to no avail,” it reads. “As the fire intensified under the hood, Braden kicked in the driver’s side window, pulled the victim out and brought her a safe distance away from the wreckage.”

The Oct. 24 ceremony awarded one Cross of Valour, one Star of Courage and 38 Medals of Bravery.