On September 2, 2022, Rick and Tricia Bilodeau, of Hooksett, New Hampshire, were out for a motorcycle ride when they were struck by another vehicle and severely injured. Rick, who was driving, was pinned between his motorcycle and the truck. While his wife Tricia, who was a passenger, was thrown tens of yards away onto an embankment. Motorist Halie Elliott came upon the accident scene and sprang into action. The Derry woman immediately called 911, reported the incident and requested emergency responders
Firefighter Paramedic Ethan Major, of Derry Fire Department, was the first to arrive. He found Elliott kneeling beside the injured woman, holding her hand and comforting her. Tricia Bilodeau had suffered severe injuries to her lower extremities, requiring the application of a tourniquet, pain medication and the splinting of her hips and legs.
EMS requested Elliot remain with the woman while they worked to save her life. Elliott never hesitated – and stayed by the woman’s side for the 13 minutes the EMS crew was on scene. For her heroic actions, the Derry Fire Department nominated Elliott for an American Red Cross Lifesaving Award.
In a private ceremony last week at the Red Cross headquarters in Concord, the Bilodeaus were reunited with Elliott for the first time since the accident – and watched as their hero was presented with the prestigious award.
“How can you say enough about the person who saved your life? I truly think she did – and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen her face. She stayed with me. She held my hands. I might have been in pain, but I didn’t feel it because she was there. I couldn’t have stayed calm without her,” said accident victim Tricia Bilodeau.
The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals, like Elliott, who step up in an emergency to help save or sustain a life. These individuals exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies and are to be commended for their willingness to help others in distress.
“You kept her calm. You kept her distracted. That freed up another set of hands and allowed us to focus on getting her ready to move,” said Major to Elliott during the ceremony. “The moment chose you – and you stepped up. You did really good work and we all appreciate it.”
Elliott’s quick response and calm demeanor allowed the EMS crew to focus on the patient and resulted in her expedited treatment and transportation to definitive care. The patient survived her injuries and after blood transfusions and multiple complex surgeries was eventually discharged home. Rick Bilodeau is also recovering from his injuries.
“I don’t know that there are words to encompass everything that I’m feeling,” said Elliott, Red Cross Lifesaving Award recipient. “I’m beyond thankful that I had the opportunity to see this through because things could have gone very differently that day. I’m so grateful that the Bilodeaus are both here and doing well.”
Get Trained
Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.
Nominate Someone
People can go to LifesavingAwards.org to nominate and recognize an individual or group of individuals who have used the skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain a life.
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