Winnipeg woman receives award for rescuing teens on Lake Manitoba
A Winnipeg woman is being honoured for her heroics after saving two teens last year on Lake Manitoba.
Renata Bandel is being recognized by the Carnegie Hero Fund by being awarded the Carnegie Medal.
The award is given to civilians in Canada and the United States who risk their lives to save or try to save another person.
Bandel was one of 18 people to receive the award and only one of two Canadians on the list.
"I was very excited and honoured to be receiving such a prestigious award. I never dreamed that that would happen," said Bandel.
She is receiving the award for her efforts in saving two 17-year-old girls at Lake Manitoba on June 3, 2020.
Bandel said is was a perfect day to be outside and she and her family went to Delta beach.
While there, she said three teenage girls decided to go into the water on a raft, noting they were all wearing life jackets.
"They got swept out towards the middle of the lake and could not paddle back against the strong winds and waves."
Bandel said one of the girls stayed on the raft and was eventually able to call 911.
"Two of the girls decided to try and swim towards shore rather than stay on the raft and they continued to get swept further and further from shore."
Bandel said while she was playing in the water with her family, she was told that someone was in the water calling for help.
"I sent my niece back to shore and swam towards the first girl. She was so relieved, but also terrified for her other two friends."
Bandel said she brought the girl back to shore where emergency crews had arrived.
However, Bandel said she couldn't just stand around waiting for emergency crews to find where the other girl was.
"I decided to go into the deep water and maybe see or hear her and then my sister caught my attention… I saw the little red dot."
She said she started swimming to the second girl, battling the wind and the choppy water, but was eventually able to reach her.
Bandel started to bring the second girl back to shore and that's when the RCMP water rescue boat came and they got on board, and went and found the third girl who was still floating on the raft.
"I'm so glad that I was in the right place at the right time."
One of the girls was taken to hospital and treated for hypothermia.
Bandel said she isn't sure what sparked her to jump to action, but she knew she had to help.
"I think it was pure adrenaline…I didn't notice the temperature (of the water), I didn't notice being tired, I didn't notice anything. I just locked in on the girls and swam to them."
The Carnegie Medal has been given out to more than 10,000 people and the award is given out four times a year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.