Brian McDonald swam through the fierce current of Campbell Creek on Aug. 6, 2000 to rescue 10-year-old Melissa Rogers from being swept away. Another Inuvik man, Ernest Gordon, lost his life in the rescue attempt.

McDonald was fishing with his family when he heard the girl's desperate cries for help on that bitter-cold summer afternoon. Gordon had attempted to save her, but he too became caught in the rapidly-flowing water.

McDonald swam to the two, located 30 feet from shore, but was unable to pull both of them out at the same time. He brought the girl to safety before heading back into the freezing cold water for Gordon, but the man drowned before McDonald could return to him.

In June, McDonald travelled to Ottawa to receive a Governor General's Medal of Bravery for risking his own life to save Melissa's.

Then just three weeks ago he received a message from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission in Pittsburgh informing him he was one of two Canadians in 2002 to receive the Carnegie Medal for "extraordinary heroism."

"One (bravery award) was overwhelming, and to receive two, I feel pretty honoured for sure," said McDonald.

"Sometimes I feel like it's too much. I did what I did ... and I probably would do it again."

He still has a hard time talking about, and thinking about the incident.

"A person lost their life that day," he said.

McDonald said he has not seen or spoken to the girl since the incident.

He has received a certificate from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, but said it will probably be a few more weeks before he receives the medal. McDonald will also receive a $3,500 grant.