Westray helpers honored

For acts of heroism following the Westray coal mine explosion in 1992, 194 draegermen and bare-faced miners have been awarded Medals of Bravery.

The explosion at the Plymouth, N.S., mine killed 26 miners. Gov. Gen. Ramon Hnatyshyn presented the medals. It marked the first time in the history of the Canadian Honours System that so many individuals have been awarded bravery decorations for a single incident.

The Medal of Bravery was established as part of the Canadian Honours System in 1972. It is awarded by the governor general on the advice of the Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee “for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.”