Central Okanagan

RCMP Sgt. Scott Rempel was off duty when he came upon a horrific traffic accident on Highway 97 in the summer of 2009.

Photo: Contributed - RCMP

Sgt. Scott Rempel (left) with Governor General David Johnston

Rempel, now the Lake Country Detachment Commander, was travelling with his wife at 2:30 on the afternoon of July 29 when he witnesses a pickup truck cross the centre-line and collide head-on with a three ton truck.

Sgt. Rempel and several other bystanders ran to try and assist the occupants trapped in the vehicles which had caught on fire.

He broke the window of the three ton truck and climbed in to pull the disoriented driver out.

The driver survived, however, the driver of the pick-up died at the scene.

For his effort, Sgt. Rempel was honoured this past Friday with the Medal of Bravery.

Sgt. Rempel and 43 other Canadians were presented the Medal of Bravery by Governor General, David Johnston at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

The medals were presented to deserving men and women who selflessly put their own lives at risk in order to save or protect the life of another.