Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 27, 2001
• Invested on: December 06, 2001

Benoît Roy, M.B., Lachenaie, Quebec
Medal of Bravery

On May 21, 2000, Benoît Roy attempted in vain to save a man from drowning in the Mille-Îles River in Laval, Quebec. The man and his three-year-old son had accidentally fallen into the deep water beside a marina dock. Alerted by their cries, Mr. Roy rushed to the scene and witnessed the non-swimmer's frantic attempts to stay afloat by holding onto his son's life jacket. Realizing that both father and son were in danger, Mr. Roy jumped into the rough, frigid waters. Although the panicked man grabbed hold of him when he reached their side, Mr. Roy managed to pull the little boy's face out of the water and turn him onto his back before being dragged under by the man. As the child drifted away with the strong current, Mr. Roy was repeatedly pulled below the surface while he and the victim were also carried farther out. Knowing that despite his best efforts, the man had lost his fight some 300 metres out, Mr. Roy swam back to shore in complete exhaustion. Fortunately, the child was picked up by boaters, some 30 metres from shore.