Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2016-03-31
Invested on: 2016-10-05
Lilianne Bessette, M.B.
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec
Medal of Bravery
On September 2, 2014, Lilianne Bessette came to the assistance of a friend who had fallen from a 15-metre cliff into the Atlantic Ocean, in Fatima, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec. Ms. Bessette, who was already in the water, swam to the badly injured victim and towed him a distance of 300 metres to shallower waters. She then attempted to find help, but not before returning to the victim's side to move him to a protruding rock where he would be safe from the rising tide. Exhausted and struggling with hypothermia, she remained with her friend during the four-hour ordeal until help arrived.