
In a display of selfless action, four friends from Tecumseh and Belle River were recently honored by the Ontario Provincial Police for their heroic efforts at Seacliff Beach in Leamington over a year ago. Mathieu Laberge, Jude Chandler, Thomas St-Pierre, and Laurier Pillon had just wrapped up their final high-school year at L’Essor and decided to spend their last day together at the beach, unaware of the gravity of events set to transpire.
The group of 18-year-olds expected to enjoy a relaxed beach day, a tradition of sorts with the Grade 12 class deciding to “skip the day.” It was their day to cherish the final moments of camaraderie, as Laberge pointed out, “We’re never going to be here again.”
This expectedly nostalgic day turned frantic as a group of Guatemalans approached, revealing their friend had been missing in the waters of Lake Erie. Laberge and his friends instantaneously sprang into action.
Taking their recent CPR training from school into practice, they plunged into the water determined to do the best they could to help. After a brief search, they found the missing man and dragged him onto the beach, launching into CPR procedures. They alternated providing chest compressions and promptly dialed 9-1-1.
When the ambulance arrived 15 minutes later, the man, identified as 24-year-old Guatemala native David Josue Mendez-Ramirez, had a pulse. Tragically, Mendez-Ramirez succumbed to his predicament in the hospital the following day.
A year after the incident, the friends were chosen for the St. John Ambulance Award. Additionally, they received a Commissioner’s citation for the selfless, lifesaving act. The recognition amplified Laberge’s aspiration of becoming a firefighter, a profession necessitating the same bravery.
Now 19, Laberge studies business finance at St. Clair College. Still, he remains hopeful about firefighting, stating the events on the beach have strengthened the bond among friends and knowing “what we can do” has solidified their resolve to leap into action when faced with a crisis. Despite the travail, the friends are determined to uphold their brave intervention when needed and, relatively, contribute positively to their community.