The RCMP have submitted a man's name for a bravery award after he pulled a mother and her two young children from the Yukon River on Wednesday afternoon.

The mother, her three-month-old baby and three-year-old son were walking by the river downtown at around 2 p.m. when she stopped to care for the infant in her arms.

In that moment, she let go of the stroller. It slipped away, with the three-year-old still strapped inside.

The stroller rolled down the embankment, landing in the river's "deep, strong and cold current,” Whitehorse RCMP Sgt. Don Rogers told the Star this morning.

In a state of panic, the terrified mother rushed into the water after her son — with the infant still in her arms.

Rogers said the mother managed to reach her son and release the boy from his stroller.

But with an infant in one arm and a toddler in the other, she struggled to get her family safely back to the water's edge.

It was then that a 43-year-old Quebec resident passing nearby jumped into the water and pulled all three to safety.

The man had been visiting the nearby SS Klondike sternwheeler as part of a month-long visit to the Yukon.

Police are not releasing the names of anyone involved nor the man's hometown in Quebec.

Rogers also did not know the gender of the youngest child.

An ambulance was called to the scene but everyone, including the children, were looked over and deemed to be in good health.

RCMP victims assistance volunteers also attended the scene to care for everyone involved.

Rogers said the RCMP have sent the facts of the rescue to police officials recommending the man be rewarded for his heroism.

The SS Klondike has averaged about 15,000 visitors a year over the last five years.