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Manitoba

Manitobans recognized for heroic, life-saving efforts

Two women were handed awards from Canadian Red Cross on Saturday. One performed CPR on an unresponsive senior, while the other rescued her father from drowning on Caddy Lake.

Nikki Weselake and Heather Arklie given heroism awards by the Canadian Red Cross

CBC News ·
Nikki Weselake accepts a "Rescuers Award" from a representative with the Canadian Red Cross Saturday in Winnipeg. (Travis Golby/CBC)

Two women have been recognized for the roles they played in saving the lives of two men.

Both Nikki Weselake and Heather Arklie were given awards for heroism by the Canadian Red Cross at an event in Winnipeg Saturday.​

Weselake was recognized for rescuing her father on Caddy Lake after his canoe capsized.

Heather Arklie was recognized for jumping into action when Victor Derksen slumped over in the emergency room at a hospital. Arklie performed hundreds of chest compressions on Derksen, who was unresponsive at the time.

While medical professionals eventually intervened and defibrillated Derksen, he still credits Arklie with saving his life.

"She had practised it but never had a person there where she could help them out," Derksen said of Arklie. "I'm the first one and I'm very, very happy about that!"

Arklie and Derksen have since become good friends.
Victor Derksen (left) recalls the chest compressions Heather Arklie performed on him that he says saved his life. Arklie received a 'Rescuer Award' from the Canadian Red Cross at a ceremony in Winnipeg Saturday. (Travis Golby/CBC)

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