LOCAL heroes who rescued the occupants of a burning vehicle in Newhaven and a man who saved two men from drowning at Wilsons Prom were all recognised for their courageous efforts.

The five heroes were awarded at the Royal Humane Society of Australasia Annual Bravery Awards presentation at Government House recently.

For their involvement at the fiery crash in Newhaven on January 23 this year, police officer Natasha Collison received a silver medal, Eli Davies (Hazelwood South) and Scott McDonald (Newhaven) both received bronze medals, and police officer Ryan Bateman accepting a Certificate of Merit.

Fateful encounter

The incident occurred at 4.40am when the driver lost control of their vehicle after failing to negotiate a roundabout.

The vehicle was observed by Senior Constable Collison and First Constable Bateman travelling at speed approaching the roundabout.

After losing sight of the vehicle, a loud bang was heard.

SC Collison and F/C Bateman made their way towards the intersection locating the vehicle wedged in a tree, partially on its side and smoke billowing from under the bonnet.

SC Collison determined that the occupants of the car were in immediate danger and mounted the driver’s side of the vehicle, in order to assess the injuries and status of the occupants.

SC Collison managed to open the door and identified two occupants who were both unconscious.

She noticed that the car had caught fire and observed flames starting to enter the driver’s side foot well.

Mr Davies and Mr McDonald then arrived on the scene and rendered assistance to SC Collison.

SC Collison was unable to extricate the driver as the seat belt was still secured, and she then dropped down inside the vehicle and released the driver’s seat belt.

Mr McDonald held the door open, and Mr Davies assisted to remove the driver from the vehicle.

F/C Bateman and Mr McDonald moved the driver to a safe distance from the vehicle.

SC Collison then moved to the passenger side of the vehicle and attempted to open the door.

The position of the unconscious passenger made it difficult to open the door, so Mr Davies stepped in and forced it open.

At this point the flames were now spreading up from the bonnet, over the windscreen and spreading further inside the passenger area.

SC Collison again entered the burning vehicle and released the passenger’s seat belt.

The passenger was then dragged from the vehicle by SC Collison and Mr Davies and McDonald.

Beach rescue

Bertrand Vaissiere of Heidelberg Heights also received a Certificate of Merit, for the rescue of two men who were drowning at Squeaky Beach in Wilsons Prom, November 18, 2020.

Two men entered the water and were hit by a large wave that knocked them off their feet and due to the slight undertow, they were carried further out to sea where they could not stand up.

Mr Vaissiere observed this from the beach and could see the two men struggling to stay afloat.

He then entered the water and rescued one of the men and brought him to shore, before re-entering the water and swam past the breakers and located the other man, who was by now unconscious.

Under extremely difficult conditions, Mr Vaissiere also managed to bring him to shore.