On the afternoon of 3 December 1983, Daniel Cloutier saved a man from drowning in the Rivière Rouge following a traffic accident. The man's car skidded off the icy road and rolled into the river. Travelling a short distance ahead, Mr. Cloutier saw the mishap in his rear-view mirror, stopped his vehicle and climbed down the steep incline. He entered the freezing water and found the victim unconscious, slumped under the dashboard, the front of the car submerged and shifting in the strong current. His hands and feet were fast becoming numb, but Mr. Cloutier forced open a rear door, crawled into the sinking car and with much difficulty pulled the driver out. He then carried the man onto safe ground. By his quick action, Mr. Cloutier almost certainly averted a tragedy.