A Yukoner who survived a deadly helicopter crash last summer was honoured with the Commissioner's Award for Bravery on Tuesday at the New Year's Levee.

Raphaël Roy-Jauvin was working on an Environment Yukon project to study the grizzly bear population in the Southern Lakes area last July 10 when the helicopter he was in crashed on the side of Nares Mountain near Carcross.

Pilot Paul Rosset died in the accident and the other crew member, John Postma, suffered severe spinal trauma.

The 24-year-old Roy-Jauvin was knocked unconscious according to those who nominated him for the award, but awoke to focus on caring for his injured colleague.

"With fuel leakage occurring, Raphaël spent precious minutes moving John out of and away from the wreckage, as his first thought was for John's safety in the event of a fire,” Kelvin Leary, the deputy minister of Environment, said in his letter of support.

After stabilizing his colleague, Roy-Jauvin returned to the wreckage to get a satellite phone and begin calling for help.

The pair was alone for about three hours before rescuers could reach them.

"Raphaël's situation required phenomenal bravery,” supervisor Ramona Maraj said in her letter.

"First, this was his first project working in a helicopter, and though trained to handle the situation, he had very little practical experience on which to act from.

"The degree to which Raphaël handled the situation was as good as or better than those of us who are far more seasoned.

"Second, the remoteness of the situation demanded exceptional composure.

"While field crews may experience adverse situations, few experience the loss of a pilot's life and the paralysis of a colleague. Even fewer experience this in a situation as remote as Nares Mountain.

"Last, while credit must be given to John Postma for also retaining composure and providing some direction to Raphaël, effectively, as the only able-bodied person, and at many points, the only conscious person, Raphael, was largely alone.”

Roy-Jauvin could not be reached for comment before press time early this afternoon.

Renée Charlie and Patricia Cross received Commissioner's awards for public volunteer service Tuesday.

Eleven students were honoured with the Governor General's Academic Award and 35 people received Diamond Jubilee medals.