On July 26, 2020, Jamey Ruth Klassen was relaxing at a Collingwood, Ontario beach when cries for help broke the tranquility of Georgian Bay.
Christopher Robertson, a 40-year-old kayaker, was struggling with his overturned, sinking kayak. Without a second thought, the Guelph high school student, still in her teens, dove into the frigid water and started a grueling 600-foot swim toward him.
By the time Jamey reached him, Christopher had already vanished beneath the surface.
Most would have panicked. Instead, Jamey took a breath and plunged 12 feet down. In the murky water, she found Christopher’s lifeless body. She embraced him and fought her way back up.
Christopher wasn’t breathing, his body was still. But Jamey persevered.
She cradled his head to keep his face above water, held his chest, and began the painful swim back to land. Despite her burning muscles, she kept going, calling for help when she could barely continue.
A paddleboarder heard her and came to assist. Together, they got Christopher onto the board and to safety. Only after making sure he was being cared for did Jamey swim to shore.
Christopher was resuscitated and fully recovered. For her incredible bravery, Jamey received the Carnegie Medal, North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism.
When asked about that day, Jamey said, “I just did what anyone would do.” But that’s not accurate. Most would have been horrified. Jamey risked her life to save a stranger.
Sometimes heroes aren’t in capes; sometimes, they’re 16-year-old students who won’t let someone die on their watch.