Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 8, 1999
• Invested on: December 03, 1999

Joseph Patrick Moloney, M.B.
Kerry Alfred Osborne, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On April 7, 1997, Joseph Moloney and Kerry Osborne rescued a colleague trapped inside a burning engine following a train derailment near Parry Sound, Ontario. The two men and their colleague were in the lead engine when the 48-car-train carrying flammable materials crashed into a 33-metre-deep hole caused by a slope failure. The train landed on its side and flames from the ruptured diesel fuel tanks shot 15 metres in the air. Although injured and disoriented, Messrs. Moloney and Osborne were able to free themselves from the twisted wreckage but their colleague remained trapped. While Mr. Osborne telephoned for help, Mr. Moloney dug his way back to the wreck through bent metal, sharp debris and frozen ground. He managed to climb inside through a broken window and reach the victim. He grabbed the unconscious man and, with Mr. Osborne who had joined him, tried to pull him out but his leg was caught. The rescuers persevered until they freed their severely injured colleague. They then dragged him through the narrow opening to safety.