Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: November 25, 1985
• Invested on: March 21, 1986

Mr. Hamelin, a driver with Instrumentation Control Service of Montreal, was near Dorval Airport on September 29, 1983, when he saw an aircraft at low speed bank sharply. Feeling an accident was imminent, he left his van and climbed a 2 1/2 metre fence, running to where he knew the lane would crash. He arrived seconds after impact and, overcoming his fear of fire, approached the smouldering wreckage, finding the co-pilot pulling the pilot out. Together they dragged the pilot a safe distance before the expected explosion. Mr. Hamelin's prompt and selfless intervention likely prevented further injury to the crew.