News

FEDELI RECOGNIZES LOCAL TALE OF BRAVERY

QUEEN’S PARK – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli recounted the story of a recent rescue in
Mattawa today in a Members’ Statement in the Ontario Legislature.

The text of Fedeli’s statement is as follows:

Thank you Speaker, I want to focus on a story of heroism from my riding. Local news
reports have chronicled the rescue of a man and his dog last week from the icy Ottawa
River in Mattawa by OPP Constable Michael Piche.

Roch Halle had gone out to try to rescue his seven year old Irish Setter Zoe, who’d gotten
stuck in the ice. The ice gave way and he spent 10 minutes trapped in the frigid waters
before Constable Piche, who was on patrol nearby, heard his cries for help, crawled out
on his stomach and pulled both man and his dog to safety after going through the ice
himself up to his waist.

It must be noted that this isn’t the first rescue that involves Constable Piche. In December
2011, he was credited with rescuing a woman from drowning in the Mattawa River.

In 2012, Constable Piche was awarded a Diamond Jubilee Medal by our MP Jay Aspin for
the constable’s service to the community, which now spans some 17 years.

Courageous acts deserve to be recognized in this Legislature, and that’s why it’s
important to bring the story of Constable Michael Piche to you today.

Video of Fedeli’s statement can be found online here: http://youtu.be/J1KkfqDYmxU

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Clint Thomas
Executive Assistant
(416) 325-3434 or (416) 710-1752