An Ottawa-area Cub Scout received the Scouts Canada Silver Cross Monday for his ‘heroic deeds’ in the aftermath of his family’s horrific car accident.

“I wasn’t really thinking – I was more just doing,” 10-year-old hero Gaius Stroud told CTV Ottawa.

Disaster struck on Aug. 14, 2014 when Stroud and his family were driving home from a vacation in P.E.I.

It was raining and the highway was wet just outside of Edmundston, N.B. when their vehicle lost control.

“We hydroplaned across two lanes and we hit a sign,” Stroud told CTV’s Canada AM on Wednesday.

The car then went over the edge of a steep embankment -- rolling 10-12 times down the rocky slope before coming to a stop.

“We were upside-down,” Stroud recalled.

Photos of the badly-damaged car make it hard to imagine that anyone could have survived the ordeal. But Stroud, his mother, stepfather and two younger brothers were still alive.

That’s when Gaius Stroud went into action.

Despite a broken collarbone, Stroud wiggled out of the car wreck to help his family.

His first priority was his brothers Tiberius and Maximus -- who were unhurt -- but screaming in fear.

“I got adrenaline and I kicked out the back window,” Stroud told Canada AM. “Then I got my brothers out.”

Stroud put his coat on one brother and his sweater on the other to keep them warm before turning his attention to the rest of the family.

Stroud’s mother Cherie Fish also managed to exit the vehicle -- despite a broken neck -- but was in complete shock and unable to communicate.

So Stroud flagged down a passing car and ensured a call was made to emergency services.

Stroud’s stepfather was still trapped in the car and couldn’t move – paralyzed from the chest down – but Gaius knew that it was important not to move someone with a spinal injury.

Silver Cross Award

Gaius has since received a lot of recognition for his brave deeds on that fateful day.

The Cub Scout was presented with the Silver Cross -- one of Scouts Canada’s highest honours complete with a special commendation for his ‘heroic deeds’ from the Governor-General and the Patron Scout of Scouts Canada.

Scouts Canada says Gaius is the only recipient of the Silver Cross so far this year, awarded for gallantry in committing an act of heroism.

“I’m really proud,” Gaius’ mother told Canada AM.

Gaius credits his father for teaching him CPR and First Aid, highlighting the importance of teaching life-saving skills to children.

“As a dad, I’m incredibly proud of my son,” Chris Stroud told CTV Ottawa. “He shone more than I ever dreamed he could have in a situation like that.”

Gaius and his brothers have since physically recovered from the accident. His mother’s broken neck is still healing and his stepfather continues to be treated in hospital for spinal cord injuries.

With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Joanne Schnurr