Island Woman Wins Carnegie Medal

Former Duncan Suzanne Fortin received the prestigious Carnegie Medal for rescuing a man from a mobile home after an explosion at Duncan’s RV park last year.

In its third annual announcement for 2022, the Carnegie Hero Foundation recognizes 17 civilians across North America who risked their lives to save others, including Fortin.

On March 6, 2021, a propane-related explosion left 75-year-old David M. Munce dazed in front of a stove in his mobile home.

His neighbor Fortin, who was 70 at the time, heard the explosion and saw smoke rising from Mance’s house.

Fortin entered the mobile home, which had flames behind the stove and along the back wall, went to Mance, and escorted him to safety.

The fire eventually engulfed the mobile home.

Munce was hospitalized for over a month and underwent a hand transplant. Fortin was unharmed.

The Carnegie Medal is awarded in the United States and Canada to those who have been in extreme danger while saving or trying to save the lives of others.

With the announcement, the Carnegie Medal has been awarded to 10,324 individuals since the Pittsburgh-based foundation was established in 1904.

Each Recipient or its Survivor will receive a Financial Grant.

In the 118 years since the foundation was founded by businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, more than $44 million has been provided in one-time grants, scholarship assistance, death benefits and ongoing assistance .

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robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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