Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 6, 1989
• Invested on: June 02, 1989

On the morning of October 14, 1987, a momentary lapse of attention caused a car containing two young women travelling near Petit-Paquetville, New Brunswick to veer into a ditch, hit the cement abutment of a driveway, overturn and catch fire. The force of the impact shattered the window on the driver's side and while the driver was able to crawl out the other victim, who was unconscious, remained trapped in the blazing vehicle. Awakened by his wife, who had heard the collision, Mr. Marc Branch immediately rushed to the scene of the accident. By this time the passenger had regained consciousness and was calling for help. After trying unsuccessfully to open the door on the driver's side, Mr. Branch leaned far into the blazing car, grabbed the victim and managed to pull her from the vehicle and carry her to the side of the road. With the help of another witness he rolled the young woman on the ground, using his bare hands to extinguish to flames on her body. Reminded of the danger of an explosion, the two men carried the victim further from the scene. No sooner had they set her down a safe distance away when an explosion took place and fire engulfed the car.