Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 18, 1996
• Invested on: June 16, 1997

On March 24, 1996, Christine Tanguay at the time nine months pregnant rescued her two children from the icy waters of the Yamaska River, near Adamsville, Quebec. While visiting her parents-in-law, Mrs. Tanguay noticed that her children, aged 2 and 4, had suddenly disappeared. Instinctively, she raced around to the back of the house and spotted her son struggling in the river and her daughter floating lifelessly. Despite her advanced state of pregnancy, she walked onto the ice to reach the nearest child. She then lowered herself into the water, caught hold of her son, and pulled him toward her husband, who had broken through the ice behind her. Continuing farther, she reached her daughter and managed to pass the girl to her brother-in-law, who carried her to safety. Unable to pull herself back onto the ice, Mrs. Tanguay was lifted out of the water by her husband and brother-in-law.