Award recognises brave car crash rescue

Published: March 12, 2007 | 5756th good news item since 2003

A Mount Gambier man has been awarded a Star of Courage after rescuing an accident victim from a burning vehicle.

Daryl Smith will receive one of the nation’s highest decorations for bravery from Governor-General Michael Jeffery for his quick response at the scene of a two-car collision at Caveton four years ago.

The semi-trailer driver swerved quickly to avoid a woman on the road who had been thrown from her vehicle and then dragged Mount Gambier man Brad Mullen from his burning utility before disconnecting a gas line beneath the vehicle to prevent further explosions.

Mr Smith says it is the third time he has saved someone’s life, but the first time he has been formally recognised for his actions.

“It’s a big honour, something you don’t really think about at the time, I suppose, you just do what you’ve got to do and, yes, I was honoured to get it,” he said.

Accident survivor Brad Mullen says nominating Mr Smith for a bravery award was the least he could do.

“I’m not sure that many others would be willing to put their life at risk after you see all the explosions etc with vehicles on television,” he said.

“He put his personal safety at risk for the good of others, not just myself, there were others that were in the accident as well, and he put the fire out even after he dragged me clear as well, I mean he works well under pressure, there’s no doubt about that.”

Meanwhile, another Mount Gambier resident has also been given a national honour.

Andrew Hogg has received a Group Bravery Citation from the Governor-General for helping to rescue an entrant in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 1998.

Mr Hogg says he was working on a deep sea trawler in waters off Eden in New South Wales when the boat was called to help 17 sailors aboard the yacht Team Jaguar.

“We were on our way to anchor behind Gabo Island there and get out of the weather, but then they gave us a call, so we all said yes, may as well go, so we headed out there. It was very … very large waves,” he said.

Published in Heroes and Rescues
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