Geoffrey Kelley, Parliamentary Assistant to Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis, pinned medals on 10 Quebec police officers and issued honourable mention citations to residents who demonstrated their courage in life-threatening situations to save their fellow-citizens.
Recalling the spectacular rescueAt about 7:00 pm on Sunday, August 24, two young men in their 20s were criss-crossing the river on water scooters. Their vehicle turned topsy-turvy just above 60th Avenue. They found themselves in dangerous waters, waves quickly transporting them to the unpredictable Lachine Rapids.
Officer Daniel Tétreault grabbed a buoy and did not hesitate to throw himself into the water to save the victims. He was supported by Sergeant Alain Rioux who helped him out by sliding into the water to give him a second buoy.
Officer Daniel Tétreault said: “I stopped the police car above 43rd Avenue. I took the buoy that was in the vehicle. The victims were beginning to panic and cried for help. In less than a minute, they went down and we knew that the next kilometre stretch would be the rapids.”
He decided to dive into the water. “We changed our position to go with the waves towards 40th Avenue and I jumped into the water. Clinging to their scoters, the victims were able to grab the buoy; we pulled them into shore. At no time did I feel I was in distress. My colleagues were ready to take over.”
Officer Tétreault is not afraid of the water. “I am familiar with the river layout and know my capabilities; I knew I could reach the victims and bring them back for about 40 or 50 feet. Otherwise, I let the victims rest awhile and asked them to help me because I had two buoys and my legs were tired.”
Sergeant Alain Rioux helped officer Tétreault and the victims by going into the water to hand them a second buoy to make their ascension easier until the river. “My priority was to help the victims and Daniel. I went into the river until I was shoulder-deep and threw a buoy.”
