Melody Harper and her daughter Kalvina Harper.
On June 24, 2012, Melody Harper, a RCMP Island Lake Detachment Clerk from the community of Garden Hill, saved the lives of two young children, ages 3 and 4.
For Melody, a relaxing day off turned into a harrowing life-saving effort. While driving with her 12-year-old daughter, Kalvina, Melody saw a group of children on a rock by the water’s edge when suddenly she witnessed one child fall into the water. She quickly drove to the site where she had witnessed the child fall. With no path to the water, Melody and Kalvina ran through the bush to reach the children.
When the two arrived at the rock where the children were last seen, she saw two lifeless bodies floating face down in the water, not just the one child she had seen fall. Handing her phone to her daughter to call for help, Melody jumped in the water and swam to the children. She reached the 4-year-old boy first, got him to shore and passed him to her daughter. Melody then swam back for the second child, a 3-year-old boy, and got him to shore.
The 4-year-old boy became conscious and alert when pulled from the water. However, the 3-year-old was not breathing. Melody began administering artificial resuscitation and continued until help arrived.
Both children were rushed to the local nursing station. The 4-year-old was cared for and released while the 3-year-old was airlifted to Winnipeg, where he has since been released.
It appears the children had wandered off from family members. There were no adults in the area at the time.
