Hero Medals

Heroic actions in 2009 were recognized Wednesday when he received a Carnegie Medal. The medals are given only to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Michael Sharpe, 35, was one of only two Canadians among this year's 21 recipients. Sharpe had previously received the Stanhope Gold Medal and the Royal Canadian Humane Association's Silver Medal for saving Marc Bissonette from the cab of a burning tractor trailer on Sept. 29, 2009. Sharpe, originally from Inuvik, N.W.T., could not be reached for comment Wednesday. His home base was Spruce Grove at the time of the accident, but he worked in Fort McMurray for Syncrude. He and co-worker Chelsea McPhee saw the fuel tanker swerve to avoid an oncoming vehicle near Wandering River. The truck and its two trailers overturned into a ditch, skidded 200 metres and burst into flames, according to the Stanhope Medal account of the incident. Bissonnette, the driver, was trapped inside.

While McPhee ran to another vehicle, which she thought would have an extinguisher, Sharpe climbed onto the overturned cab and tried to open the door. He received third-degree burns. He pulled the crumpled mirror assembly away from the door but was still unable to open it. He next bent back the exhaust stack, burning his hands. He was eventually able to open the door enough for the driver to get out. The cab by then was engulfed in flames. Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie established the Carnegie Hero Fund in 1904. So far, 9,412 heroes have received the award.

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