Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: October 23, 2003
• Invested on: June 25, 2004

On March 12, 2001, Richard Cook put his life at risk when he stopped to assist the survivors of an accident on highway 401 near Trenton, Ontario. Mr. Cook was driving to work in the freezing rain when he witnessed the horrific scene. An out-of-control minivan had hit the median and bounced back onto the icy road where it was broadsided by a tractor-trailer. Mr. Cook immediately stopped his vehicle and rushed on the busy slippery highway to assist the severely injured victims. Seeing that the van was in flames, he helped the driver escape the vehicle before racing to check on the injured passengers who had been ejected from the minivan and were lying unconscious in the middle of the roadway. Without concern for his own safety, Mr. Cook remained by their side until emergency services arrived to block traffic and take over the rescue.