Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2000-02-28
Invested on: 2000-12-08
On May 2, 1998, David Belben saved a friend from drowning in Funnel Pond at L'Anse au Loup, Labrador, Newfoundland. Mr. Belben and four friends were travelling on their snowmobiles when one man broke through the ice and disappeared under the surface with his vehicle. Mr. Belben wrapped a 5-metre strap around his hand and crawled towards the scene until he too fell into the water. With a large ice floe separating the friends, Mr. Belben threw the strap to the victim and pulled him towards the block of ice until both men were able to climb onto it. In his panic, the victim tipped the block and both fell back into the water. As the struggling victim pulled him under, Mr. Belben managed to calm his friend and, although nearly completely submerged, held the man's head above water until the pair was pulled out by their friends who had thrown them a line.