VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger yesterday presented the Carnegie Medal - North America's highest honor for civilian heroism - to Virginia Beach Middle School student Major Metzger for his actions to save his friend from falling off a ski lift in Nellysford, Virginia on January 26, 2025.

The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Since being established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has awarded more than 10,000 medals - with recipients eligible for financial support including scholarships and grants.

"Major Metzger's bravery represents the very best of Virginia - and he demonstrated it at the young age of only 10 years old," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "Our entire Commonwealth thanks you for fearlessly risking your life to save your friend. I know how incredibly proud your parents and family are of you for your actions last January, and on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, I am honored to present you with the Carnegie Medal."

Governor Spanberger was joined by Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffery Smith, Superintendent of Virginia Beach Schools Dr. Don Robertson Jr., and Mayor of Virginia Beach Bobby Dyer to present the award.

"Major showed remarkable courage in helping his friend who was in danger, but more than that, despite his young age, he made the conscious and selfless decision to accept the consequences of applying the same danger to himself through action, and we are proud to recognize him with the Carnegie Medal," said President of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission Eric P. Zahren. "We're grateful to Governor Spanberger for helping us honor Major and for making this such a meaningful occasion for him, his family, and his school community."

Click here or read below for the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's full award citation.

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Major Metzger saved Bryce Rader from falling, Nellysford, Virginia, January 26, 2025.

At a ski resort, Bryce, 6, had difficulty loading onto a four-person bench seat on a chairlift and was sliding off the seat. Bryce was one of four children on the seat, including Major, 10, elementary school student, who was seated immediately beside him, and their sisters.

As the lift ascended, Bryce, whose heavy gear included a helmet and skis, continued to struggle to sit safely and Major grasped onto him, attempting to pull him onto the seat. By the time workers were alerted to bring the lift to a complete stop, Bryce had fallen entirely off the seat, the bottom of which was about 16 feet above the rugged, sloped ground, and Major was leaning forward and down and holding Bryce's arms with both of his gloved hands.

Major, also wearing a helmet and skis, continued to hold onto Bryce until the ski patrol arrived with a safety mat, stood below the seat, and advised Major to let Bryce go. Bryce, who had dangled precariously for about four minutes during the incident, fell down to the pad, bounced off it, and suffered a small bump on his head. Medical staff evaluated Bryce, who did not require additional treatment and recovered. Major rode the chairlift to the top of the ski run, where he offloaded with the girls. His arms were sore and he was shaken, but he did not require medical treatment.

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